BGSU Hockey (1-2, 1-0) traveled to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, for a weekend series against the Laker Superior State University Lakers (2-3, 0-1) to start Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) play for both teams.
The Falcons emerged from the first game of the series on Oct. 24 with a 4-1 victory, marking the team’s first win of the season while securing three points towards the CCHA standings.
Freshman forward Brandon Whynott and sophomore goaltender Tyler Palmer both hit personal milestones before the puck even dropped to begin the game.
Whynott made his collegiate debut while lining up on the fourth line with junior forward Brody Waters and freshman forward Jake Sloan.
Palmer earned his first career start in the NCAA after making his debut during the third period of Bowling Green’s 5-2 defeat to Niagara on Oct. 11.
The first period of play between the Falcons and Lakers ended with the same 0-0 score as when the two teams started the game, despite Bowling Green outshooting LSSU 16-9.
The first goal of the game would come in the second period when a net front scramble in front of Lake Superior’s sophomore netminder Rorke Applebee would result in BG’s freshman forward Dominik Rymon tapping in a shot during a powerplay opportunity for Rymon’s first career collegiate goal. This was the Falcon’s first power-play goal of the season. Waters and senior defenseman and Bowling Green’s captain Dalton Norris were credited with assists on the play.
Lake Superior State would tie the game with a power-play goal of its own with only 18 seconds remaining in the second period. After a passing play around the perimeter of the offensive zone, junior defenseman Johnny Druskinis would fire a laser of a shot past Palmer on a one-timer opportunity. Junior defenseman Evan Bushy and forward John Herrington were credited with the assists on the play.
Bowling Green assistant captain and senior forward Jaden Grant would restore the Falcons’ lead just 52 seconds into the third period. Waters would pick up his second assist of the game, with an additional assist being awarded to junior forward Tyler Hotson on the play that would end with Grant scoring from the slot.
Grant would strike again for his second goal of the game and the Falcons’ second power-play goal later in the third. Grant once again scored via a shot from the slot after the play was set up by senior forward Quinn Emerson and junior forward Ben Doran, who were each credited with an assist.
Johnny Druskinis would deke through multiple Bowling Green defenders on his way to what originally looked to be his second goal of the game and the tally to bring LSSU back to within one goal with less than five minutes remaining in the game. However, after a challenge by head coach Dennis Williams, the goal was disallowed due to the play being offside, much to the chagrin of LSSU fans and players alike.
The Lakers weren’t able to sneak any more pucks past Palmer, who finished the game with a .964 save percentage after making 27 saves in his first full game of action for the Orange and Brown.
Bowling Green would add on one more tally when freshman forward Connor Levis shot a puck from the BG defensive zone all the way down ice and into the Lakers’ empty net for his first career collegiate goal after LSSU pulled their goalie for an extra attacker while they were on a powerplay opportunity. Norris was awarded an assist after a Laker pass deflected off his stick and to Levis, who scored the shorthanded goal.
Despite the loss, Lake State’s Applebee still had a commendable performance as he finished the night with a .932 save percentage while only conceding three goals and making 41 saves over the course of the game.
Other players with strong performances include LSSU’s Mike Brown, Luke Antonacci, and Tyson Galloway, who all had three blocked shots apiece.
BGSU’s junior defenseman Breck McKinley also had three blocked shots of his own.
Norris and Emerson would lead the Falcons in shots during the game as the two seniors both had five shots on goal apiece. Waters and Rymon follow closely behind with four shots apiece.
Ben Doran finished the game with the most impressive performance in the faceoff dots between the two teams, as the junior forward finished the game having won 14 of his 18 faceoffs.
Coach Williams and the Falcons will look to complete the weekend sweep of the Lakers tonight, Oct. 15, at LSSU’s Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Falcon Media Sports Network’s Ben Corak will have the call on WBGU 88.1 FM with puck drop scheduled for 6:07 p.m.
