Coming home after a well-earned split and first victory of the season last weekend at in-state rival Miami, the Bowling Green Falcons were looking to get into the win column in league play against the Ferris State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs came into the game also with just one victory on the year.
As usual in a Bowling Green game this year, special teams played a key role in the outcome of the game. This time it was the Falcons who came out on top in the special teams battle and the game. Bowling Green killed off five of six Bulldogs power plays and scored two of their own with the man advantage in a 4-1 win.
“Our penalty kill has been better lately, which has allowed us to be in games and tonight win the game,” Bowling Green coach Chris Beregon said.
In the first period, each team scored a power-play goal. Bowling Green got on the board first though with an even-strength goal by Tyler Spezia, who deflected a shot from the point past the Bulldogs netminder for a 1-0 lead. Senior captain Mark Pohlkamp made it 2-0 at 6:37 when he found a loose puck near the crease and put in it a half empty net.
Ferris would not be outdone on the power play and responded at 12:30. Dominic Lutz was left alone in front and put one past Chris Nell to cut the lead to 2-1.
Bowling Green answered quickly just 22 seconds later on a goal from freshman Alec Rauhauser (who had two assists also) to make it 3-1.
“Getting that third goal right away squashed any momentum that they got from their goal,” explained Bergeron.
The second period was more of the same as six penalties in total (three on each team) were called, but the Falcons got the only goal which came on a power play at 17:45 by Mitch McLain. The Falcons defense and Nell took over from there as the Bulldogs were held to just 15 shots total in the game.
“We defended better in our own zone tonight and this team knows how to finish games,” said Bergeron. “We hadn’t shown it yet before last Saturday night but the last two games are how we want to play in the third periods with leads.”
These two teams will finish the weekend series tomorrow night with face off at 7:05 p.m.
WCHA roundup
Lake Superior 5, No. 10 Minnesota State 1
Lake Superior got goals from 5 different players and 24 saves from Gordon Defiel to upset the No. 10 Mavericks 5-1 at home. Scoring the lone goal for the Mavericks was Marc Michaelis.
Michigan State 3, Michigan Tech 2 (OT)
Michigan Tech couldn’t hold a 2-1 lead early in the third period and would eventually lose 3-2 to the Spartans in overtime. Michigan State got the tying goal from Mason Appleton at 16:18 of the third period and he also got the winner at 1:22 of overtime. Mason Blacklock and Jake Lucchini scored the goals for the Huskies.
Northern Michigan 5, at Wisconsin 2
Northern Michigan got two goals from Dominik Shine and stellar goaltending from Mathias Israelsson, who stopped 34 of 36 Badgers shots for a 5-2 victory on the road Friday night. Scoring for Wisconsin were Trent Frederic and Seamus Malone.
No. 18 Bemidji State 6, at Alaska 2
The Beavers got four goals in the third period, including two from Gerry Fitzgerald, to break open a one-goal game and defeat Alaska 6-2. Kyle Bauman also scored twice, and Charlie O’Connor had a goal and an assist.
Alabama Huntsville 5, at Alaska Anchorage 2
The Chargers jumped out with four goals in the first period to beat Alaska-Anchorage, 5-2. Brennan Saulnier scored two goals, including the game-winner, and Jordan Uhelski made 25 saves in the win. Brad Duwe scored twice for Anchorage.
