BGSU Hockey traveled to Minnesota State to take on the eighth ranked Mavericks, and while the Falcons would get swept, they would come away with a CCHA point.

Here’s how it happened:

Friday

Both the Mavericks’ and Falcons’ defenses came to play in the first period of game one. 

With three minutes left in the first, both teams only had three shots apiece.  

The game remained scoreless late in the first until Maverick senior forward Lucas Sowder fired a puck from the left circle that would be saved by goalie Christian Stoever. 

Unfortunately for the Falcons, that save would be rebounded in front and MSU Junior Ondrej Pavel would have a wide-open net to give Minnesota State a 1-0 lead. 

Four minutes into the second, history would repeat itself as a failed Falcons breakout pass would be intercepted by MSU sophomore Steven Bellini.  

Mavericks forward Tanner Edwards would find a rebound to capitalize on, making the score 2-0. 

That 2-0 lead would hold until the third period.  

Three minutes into the third, Bowling Green would have a chance to cut the lead in half.  

Falcons sophomore Brayden Krieger would pass the puck onto senior Adam Pitters’ stick, allowing him to blast one past Mavs goalie Alex Tracy. 

The Falcons’ comeback seemed to come up short until a minute left and the goalie pulled, Falcons points leader Austen Swankler would score a power play goal to tie up the game at 2-2. 

In the extra period, MSU would finally put BG away when the Toledo native, Brenden Furry, would beat Stoever for the golden goal, giving the Mavericks the extra point in their CCHA opener. 

Saturday:

The Falcons’ defense would not start out as strong as it did in game one.  

MSU would take an early 1-0 lead when MSU forward David Silye would skate behind Stoever till he got out in front and beat him point blank to take the lead.  

Halfway through the second, BGSU would respond with a tip-in by senior Chase Gresock, tying the game at 1-1. 

The second period opened with the Falcons on the PK from a slashing penalty on captain Alex Barber.  

On the kill, Pitters would clear the puck down the ice to freshman Quinn Emerson. His quick shot would beat the MSU goalie, giving Emerson his first collegiate goal and the Falcons their first lead of the series.  

The Mavericks would tie the game with about two minutes left in the second period when Brendan Furry would control a rebound and send it past Stoever. 

Seven seconds into the third, Minnesota State would steal the lead again. 

After winning the opening faceoff, forward Sam Morton would beat everyone down the ice and beat Stoever blocker side, making the game 3-2.  

The Mavericks put the game out of reach halfway through the third period when freshman Adam Eisele scored from a rebound. 

Head Coach Ty Eigner would praise his goaltender for keeping the Falcons in this series.

“Christian Stoever gave us a chance tonight. He played very well,” Eigner said. 

The Falcons return home next weekend against Michigan Tech, with puck drop expected at 7:07 pm on Nov. 4. 

For more information about the team, visit bgsufalcons.com.