Yesterday, BGSU hockey (11-7-3, 7-4-3) tied the Bemidji State Beavers (8-10-4, 5-6-3) 4-4, losing 2-0 in the shootout. This marks the first time since Dec. 7 that the Falcons did not win but still managed to pick up a big CCHA point at home.
The Orange and Brown won the opening face-off, and sophomore defenseman Breck McKinley quickly committed a penalty. The Falcons then allowed only two shots and kept the score tied 2:42 in.
For the next nearly 12 minutes both teams traded missed shots before senior forward Ryan O’Hara put the puck in the net for the fourth time this season, making it 1-0.
Throughout the final five minutes of the period, Bemidji State was guilty of two penalties, but BG could not take advantage.
The first nearly 11 minutes of the second period saw a multitude of missed shots by both teams. Graduate student Ethan Scardina then added to the Falcon lead with 8:30 to play in the second.
Already up 2-0, BGSU entered the power play and Ontario native Brody Waters scored a shorthanded goal, 3-0. Following that, Bowling Green then committed a penalty, and sophomore Kasper Magnussen opened the scoring for BSU with 1:41 left in the second.
Bemidji State was not finished though because senior Jere Vaisanen scored 23 seconds later, making it 3-2 BG after two periods.
Later, O’Hara scored his second goal of the evening to give BG a 4-2 advantage 6:53 into the third.
Similarly to the second, the Beavers kept attacking but were unable to score until the late stages of the period. Magnussen scored another late goal, this time making it 4-3 with 2:47 to play.
Down under a minute to play in regulation, the Beavers pulled their goalie to get an extra attacker. This proved to be beneficial because Vaisanen scored his second goal, tying the game with 57 seconds left in regulation.
During the five-minute overtime, there were a total of 11 missed shots, keeping the game tied and sending the game to a shootout.
Vaisanen put the puck in the net yet again to start the shootout, which was followed by a Waters miss.
Graduate student Eric Martin scored with his attempt. Needing to score to keep the shootout alive, O’Hara did not hit his shot, ending the game.
Bemidji State receives two points for their shootout win and Bowling Green receives one.
Up next, the Falcons head to Ferris State to take on the 6-13-2, 5-8 Bulldogs in Michigan for a two-game set on Friday and Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:07 both nights and Falcon Media Sports Network’s Ben Corak will be on the call on WBGU 88.1 FM.