For the third weekend in a row, it’s tough to figure out how to feel about BGSU hockey’s series. A 1-0 overtime loss in the first game and a 1-1 shootout loss in the second game, both to the second-place team in the CCHA, Augustana.
Unlike Ferris State and much like Bemidji State, Willy’s team played fantastic over the 128 minutes and shootout.
This Bowling Green team has, in two weekends this season now, dropped Lake Superior State and Augustana from their position as the best offensive team in the conference down to third or fourth, simply by taking the ice against the orange and brown.
Much of this is due to Christian “Hot Stove” Stoever who allowed only two goals to Augustana, one an overtime winner and the other a shorthanded breakaway, more of a defensive lapse than anything.
His 1.7 goals allowed per game ranks second in the CCHA (behind MSU’s Alex Tracy and UA’s Josh Kotai amidst averaging the most saves and second-highest save percentage (behind Kotai) of any netminder in the conference.
Someone has kept throwing wood on the fire to keep “Stove” going. He might have won another CCHA Goaltender of the Week Award if Kotai didn’t give up only one goal.
One goal scored in regulation, must be a bad offensive weekend. In production, yes. In reality, absolutely not.
They led Augustana with 78 shots on goal, according to the shot chart many of them coming from far more prime locations than the Vikings’ shots. BG additionally led the weekend in face-off winning, powerplay chances, and through the eye test held possession far more than the opposition.
Frankly put BG outplayed Augustana, as they did against Bemidji State at home two weeks ago. Yet a couple of things didn’t go their way, powerplay being one.
They had seven powerplay opportunities, all in a one-score or tie game. Yet they missed on all seven. One goal scored takes two extra points and one goal in each game takes six points, putting them only one game out of first place Minnesota State.
There are many what-ifs around the team, many stemming from underperforming in certain aspects of each series. Talking about underperforming also implies the team is highly competitive, and they are still competing for a top spot in the CCHA.
The upcoming schedule includes all bottom-five teams, Northern Michigan, St. Thomas, Bemidji State, and Lake Superior State to end the season. Many points to take and BG needs as many as they can muster.
NMU is set for 7 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. Falcon Media Sports Network’s Ben Corak will be in Marquette, Mich. 15 minutes before game time for pregame and the broadcast on WBGU 88.1 FM.
