Injuries are starting to add up for the BG hockey team.
After losing several players this past weekend against Notre Dame, the team’s depth may be tested.
The Falcons lost defenseman Ian Ruel and forward Marc Rodriguez to concussions against the Irish. Both are questionable for this weekend against Northern Michigan.
The Falcons defense group has already been thin — playing with only six healthy defensemen — as Jake Sloat has been out since Jan. 15 against Miami due to a quad contusion. He is also questionable for the weekend.
“I think that Ruel’s is less (severe) than Marc’s is,” said coach Chris Bergeron. “I expect Sloat to be available to play this weekend. Whether or not he plays is another question.”
Ruel suffered his concussion on Friday, leaving the Falcons with five healthy defensemen for Saturday’s game. Bobby Shea, moved to forward earlier this season, was utilized as the sixth defenseman in that game.
Playoffs
With the Falcons mathematically set as the 11th seed for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs, the coaching staff has started to prepare for who the Falcons might be facing.
“We’re looking at those (matchups) but we’re not talking to the players about them,” Bergeron said. “We like some of those matchups, even though they will be on the road.”
With the loss of Nebraska-Omaha as a member of the CCHA last season, dropping conference membership to 11, the format for this season’s playoffs have changed.
The top five teams in the conference standings will receive a first-round bye in the playoffs, meaning the Falcons’ first playoff series will be against the sixth seed.
With the bunched nature of the middle of the standings, there are several teams the Falcons could end up facing. Northern Michigan, Alaska and Lake Superior are tied for sixth with 35 points. Ferris State sits three points ahead of those teams, while Ohio State is four points behind sixth place.
The Falcons face Northern Michigan this weekend
“Our focus (as a team) is on practice because if our team starts looking at big picture, that brings a lot more negative than positive,” Bergeron said. “Because big picture is past and future and we’re not going to think about the past and we’re worrying about the future.”
Northern
The Wildcats have run hot and cold recently, ending a four game losing streak this past weekend by sweeping Michigan State.
The Falcons split with them in Marquette earlier this season, winning 2-1 and losing 5-1.
“What’s made them a strong road team is their attention to small details in games, their ability to take advantage of other team’s mistakes … you make a mistake and they take advantage,” Bergeron said. “Their opportunism is probably their strongest suit along with their willingness to compete on the road.”
