Some things in life are certain. One thing that is certain is the last home game this season for BGSU hockey is tonight at the Ice Arena. The Falcons take on Miami University in the first game of a home-and-home series.
The Falcons could not pull ahead in the standings to get a seeding between five and eight. All of those seedings would have given them a home series in the first round of the CCHA playoffs. However, that does not mean there is no incentive in winning this weekend.
“We know we’re going on the road, we want to get ourselves in the best state of mind for playoff hockey,” said BG coach Scott Paluch. “Having success this weekend would be a really good propeller into a key time of year.”
The Redhawks currently reside in first place of the CCHA and will not move from there. They are far enough ahead of the pack to ensure their place. BG knows that it could build some confidence over the weekend. The Falcons are 8-16-2 in the CCHA and 13-19-2 overall. Miami is 18-6-2 in the conference and 21-7-4 overall.
“Right now, it’s clear, we haven’t had the success throughout the year and clearly these last key weeks that we want to have,” Paluch said. “We also know that based on some of the wins we’ve had this year that the capability is there for us to be a good playoff team. We want to gain confidence and have success against this Miami team heading into the playoffs.”
The Falcons lost both games against the RedHawks earlier this year, one in Oxford and one at home. The games had scores of 6-1 and 5-3, respectively. The Falcons went 1-for-17 on the power-play in the series.
In addition to having the best penalty kill and goals allowed per game average in the CCHA, Miami brings a solid team to the table. The RedHawks have played well all year and it has shown as they’ve ridden along the top of the standings the whole way.
“They ran away with the league because they remained so consistent all year,” Paluch said. “They don’t have a weakness. They’re a very solid team that keeps coming at you.”
The Falcons currently sit in 11th place and can not move any higher in the two games that remain. Tonight’s game is at 7:05 p.m. at the Ice Arena.
