BGSU hockey (15-10-4, 11-7-4) poured on the shots against St. Thomas (12-13-5, 9-9-4) throughout Saturday night’s contest.

By the end of the night, the Falcons amassed 58 shots on goal and 92 shots total. Specific players such as senior co-captain Ryan O’Hara (10 shots on goal), sophomore defenseman Gustav Stjernberg (nine shots on goal), and junior defenseman Dalton Norris (6 shots on goals) were able to have impressive individual nights in terms of producing offense.

However, it was all for naught due to the unbelievable play of St. Thomas’ senior goaltender Jake Sibell, who carried his Tommies to a 2-1 win over the Falcons. Sibell made 57 saves while only allowing a single goal on his way to a .983 save percentage. 

The 57 save performance marks a career-high for Sibell and a season-high among all goaltenders in the CCHA for saves in a single game. The next closest goaltending effort is Ferris State’s Connor McDonough, who made 51 saves in an 8-0 loss to Wisconsin.

In the first period alone, Sibell was forced to make 24 saves, which was more shots than his team was able to muster through the entire game. Sibell made another 17 saves in the second period and 16 in the third.

The only goal he let in was halfway through the third period when O’Hara scored on a four-on-three powerplay opportunity.

Of the 57 saves, multiple were made during net-front scrambles, breakaway opportunities, power play opportunities, and chances in the slot, among other dangerous opportunities created by the efforts of the Falcons. 

Saturday was Sibell’s 12th start of the year, and he has amounted to 353 saves, a .915 save percentage, and 2.85 goals against average throughout the season.

If it wasn’t for Sibell’s efforts, it is safe to assume that the Falcons would’ve been easily able to claim another three points towards the CCHA standing and complete the weekend sweep. Sibell did not play in Friday night’s contest where BG emerged victorious 4-1.  

The Falcons will have a break from conference play next weekend as their only game will be an exhibition game against the United States Developmental Team on Feb. 14.