This weekend’s series between BGSU hockey (12-8-3, 8-5-3) and the Vikings of Augustana University (13-7-2, 5-3-0) will carry with it major playoff implications.
The CCHA playoffs are now just a mere six weekends away, and BG and Augustana are currently third and second in the standings respectively. The Vikings currently sit with a .667 points percentage, while the Falcons sit just below them with a .604 points percentage (a reminder that the CCHA standings are based on points percentage for this season).
Bowling Green is coming off two series splits against Bemidji State and Ferris State. Despite collecting half (6/12) of the possible points between the two weekends, BG left some points on the table that may come back to haunt them later.
Augustana has spent the last multiple weekends playing against non-conference opponents. Most recently, they were able to sweep #19 Colorado College two weekends ago and split a series against Lindenwood last weekend.
Along with the playoffs, this weekend could also have major implications on who is awarded one of NCAA hockey’s most coveted awards.
The Mike Richter Award is given to the best goaltender in NCAA hockey each season. Last week, both Bowling Green’s Christian Stoever and Augustana’s Josh Kotai were included in the watchlist for the award.
This weekend will truly be a goaltending battle as both goalies have proven themselves to be amongst the best in their position.
Kotai currently sits at 1.68 goals against average and a .945 save percentage which ranks him third and first in the NCAA for each stat.
Stoever, not to be overdone, ranks tenth and second with a 1.91 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage.
While goaltending will likely be the story of the games, both teams will look to their stars to create chances to find a crack in the two brick walls in the net.
For BG, those stars will be sophomore Ben Doran, senior Ryan O’Hara, and sophomore Brody Waters.
Doran is currently riding a five-game point streak, that includes scoring two goals and four assists over those five games.
O’Hara is on a four-game point streak that has seen him record seven points over those four games via four goals and three assists. O’Hara has also scored seven goals in the last seven games.
Finally, Waters is enjoying a three-game point streak with four goals and an assist in those three games. Waters is also the team’s leader in goals with 14 and currently ranks first in the NCAA for power-play goals with nine.
An additional player who may help tip the scales in BG’s favor is sophomore defenseman Gustav Stjernberg. He is arguably the Falcon’s best defenseman and is well-known for his physical game. Stjernberg is also coming off his second consecutive CCHA Defenseman of the Week award.
Bowling Green and Augustana will battle in the Slater Family Ice Arena on Jan. 24 and 25.
Falcon Media Sports Network’s Ben Corak will have the call on both nights starting at 6:45 pm on WBGU 88.1 FM. He will be joined by Falcon Media Sports Network’s Lucas Kleimeyer on Friday and Falcon Media Sports Network’s Nathan Burkett on Saturday.
Falcon Four Players to Watch
Augustana – Sophomore Goaltender – Josh Kotai
The stats speak for themselves: first in the NCAA in save percentage, third in the NCAA in goals-against average, and third in the CCHA in saves per game.
The sophomore has proven that he is one of the best goalies in the CCHA and NCAA, and the main storyline of the weekend will be the goalie battle of Kotai vs. Stoever.
Augustana – Senior Forward – Payton Matsui
Matsui currently leads the Vikings in points (16) and assists (11). Is also a very clean player who has only taken one penalty all season.
Bowling Green – Sophomore Forward – Brody Waters
Waters has scored a team-leading 14 goals this season. This number ranks him as first in the CCHA and tied for sixth in the NCAA for goals scored. Of those 14 goals, nine have come via the power play which ranks him as first in both the CCHA and NCAA for power-play goals.
Waters also has a history of scoring against Augustana as his first career collegiate goal came last season against the Vikings.
Bowling Green – Senior Goaltender – Christian Stoever
Similar to Kotai, the stats speak for themselves: second in the NCAA for save percentage, tenth in the NCAA for goals against average, first in the CCHA for saves per game, and second in the NCAA for goalie winning percentage.
Stoever and Kotai are almost equal in most stats this season, and the better goalie will likely lead their team to victory this weekend.
