BGSU hockey (15-12-4, 11-9-4) came up just short on the road, falling 2-1 in overtime to the Bemidji State Beavers (13-15-4. 10-11-3) in their final away game of the regular season.
Despite taking the lead in the third period, the Falcons couldn’t hold off a late surge from the Beavers, who netted the equalizer with just 10.7 seconds remaining before sealing the win in the extra frame.
Ville Immonen gave Bowling Green the lead with his fifth goal of the season, capitalizing on a flurry of rebounds midway through the third period. The graduate forward was in the right place at the right time, tapping in the puck on the right side of the net after a series of saves by Bemidji State’s Mattias Sholl.
Through two periods, both teams were locked in a defensive battle. They combined for 27 shots but were unable to find the back of the net.
Sophomore goaltender Cole Moore was sharp between the pipes for the Falcons, turning away 15 shots in the opening 40 minutes to keep the game scoreless.
Bowling Green finally broke through at the 7:52 mark of the third period.
Senior Ben Wozney made an aggressive play toward the net, firing a shot that popped out in front. Junior Quinn Emerson jumped on the loose puck, forcing Sholl to make another save. The rebound kicked out to junior Brett Pfoh at the top of the slot, whose shot was blocked but got to Immonen, who buried it to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead.
Bemidji State responded with a late push, pulling their goaltender for an extra attacker.
The pressure paid off as they tied the game with just 10.7 seconds left in regulation, sending it to overtime. The Beavers carried that momentum into the extra frame, putting a puck in BG’s net for the game-winner at 1:59.
Despite the loss, there were bright spots for Bowling Green.
Emerson notched his seventh assist of the season, breaking his single season assist total and tying his career high for points in a season.
Pfoh also set a new career mark with his 16th point of the season.
Moore continued his strong play in the net, making 31 saves, including several key stops to keep the game close. It marked his seventh game of the season with 30 or more saves.
The Falcons close out their regular-season road schedule with an 8-8-1 record and head into the final weekend of CCHA play tied for third place with Michigan Tech.
Bowling Green returns to Slater Family Ice Arena next weekend for a two-game series against Lake Superior State on Feb. 28 and March. 1.
The Falcons will host their annual Teddy Bear Toss game on Friday, followed by Senior Night celebrations during pre-game on Saturday.
