After seven long months, Bowling Green State University hockey is back, and the Dennis Williams era is officially underway.
Williams, named the new head coach in March, earned his first win at the helm of the Falcons as the Orange and Brown defeated Mercyhurst in Erie, Pennsylvania, 2-1.
BGSU struck first, with junior forward Jaden Grant putting a shot in the back of the net midway through the first period, with freshman forward Maxwell Martin and sophomore defenseman Breck McKinley assisting on the score, marking the first career assist for Martin.
In the second period, sophomore forward Brody Waters lit up the goal light while on a power play thanks to senior forward Ryan O’Hara, who found him on the left wing just five minutes into the period. Sophomore forward Matvei Kabanov was also credited with an assist on the play, marking his first point as a Falcon.
The score marked Waters’ seventh career goal and first career game-winning goal.
Mercyhurst also found some success in the second period, as sophomore forward Boris Skalos notched a goal to cut the deficit to just one; however, that was all they were going to get as sophomore goalie Cole Moore had a spectacular game, saving 32 shots, including a beautiful save with 36 seconds to go in the first period.
A late push by the Lakers almost saw the game go to overtime, but Moore was too much of a brick wall, keeping the Falcons ahead.
The Falcons prevailed to the victory despite Mercyhurst outshooting them 33-27.
However, BGSU dominated faceoffs, winning 43 of the 68 opportunities. Graduate student forward captains Ville Immonen and Ethan Scardina went 16-8 and 15-6 in faceoffs, respectively.
The Falcons and the Lakers will battle again on Saturday, Oct. 5, with puck drop at 7:07 p.m.
