After splitting with Michigan last weekend the Bowling Green hockey team will go into this weekend against Western Michigan with high hopes as they will return to BGSU Ice Arena after being on the road for the past two weeks.
“Everyone is pretty positive,” said junior goaltender Tyler Masters. “There is a kind of sense of excitement after last weekend. We realized how we can play and what it takes.”
Masters ended the weekend with 53 saves as the Falcons split against the Wolverines. They defeated U of M the first night (Friday) by a score of 4-2 and faced a tough loss the next day (3-2).
“I thought we played with a lot more emotion, jump and speed,” said sophomore D’Arcy McConvey. “If we keep that going we’re going to win a lot of games.”
With only 10 conference games left every win is critical. “We want to win seven out of these next 10 games,” said Roger Leonard. “That’s a realistic goal.”
Two wins this weekend will increase the Falcon’s chance of getting into the playoffs.
Western Michigan head coach Jim Culhane said, “They’re a team that’s capable of beating anyone at their place. They played very well last week against Michigan and I’m sure some of that momentum is going to carry over. With 10 conference games left, every game is crucial to us right now, starting with this weekend’s series.”
The Falcons plan on extending their emotion from last weekend into the Western Michigan game.
“This series is huge,” Masters said. “We’re looking at these two games as being a way to move up in the standings.”
Currently the Falcons (7-16-5, 5-11-2 CCHA) are 11th in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association trailing only to Lake Superior State. Two victories this weekend would move the Falcons up one notch in the standings to take over the Broncos spot (12-10-4, 6-9-3 CCHA).
“They’re a good team but they’re definitely not any better than us,”McConvey said. “It’s good motivation for this weekend.”
Last year the Falcons split with the Broncos, winning the series opener, 4-2, before dropping the second game 2-1.
“I know from last year they have some great skaters,” Masters said. “I think with the excitement in the room right now we have the opportunity to really take a run at it. Friday night we’ll be reared up ready to go.”
