BGSU hockey (2-2, 2-0) kicked off Central Collegiate Hockey Association play by securing a sweep over Lake Superior State University (2-4, 0-2) in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Bowling Green had multiple players have standout performances over the two games, but the Falcon goaltending played a crucial role in the team’s success.
BG started two goalies over the weekend, with sophomore goaltender Tyler Palmer getting the nod for Friday night’s game and freshman Jacob Steinman being tapped for the start on Saturday.
Friday was Palmer’s first career NCAA start after the sophomore made his NCAA debut during the third period of BG’s 5-2 loss to Niagara University on Oct. 11. Palmer transferred to BGSU and the NCAA after spending last season with Canadian USports’ University of Alberta.
Palmer, who saved all four shots he faced during his debut against Niagara, had an impressive performance by only conceding one goal while making a total of 27 saves.
The Fernie, British Columbia native helped the Falcons to a 4-1 victory and finished the night with a .964 save percentage.
Palmer currently has a 0.76 goals against average and a .969 save percentage through his two appearances for the Orange and Brown.
Palmer also played a major role in the Falcons’ proficient ability to kill off penalties. The Falcon penalty kill killed four of the Laker’s five powerplay opportunities in large part due to Palmer’s 10 saves during LSSU powerplay opportunities.
The only shot the Lakers could work past Palmer came on an LSSU power play when Johnny Druskinis fired a one-timer past the Falcon netminder.
For Steinman, Saturday marked both his first career collegiate start as well as his collegiate debut.
Steinman spent parts of last season playing for the Moncton Wildcats and Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
Steinman’s only previous appearances for the Orange and Brown came in exhibition games against Robert Morris University and the University of Windsor earlier this season, with Steinman playing a total of two and a half periods between the two games.
Steinman would make a total of 31 saves in his debut while recording a .939 save percentage during Saturday’s contest.
One major question mark heading into the season for the Falcons was the question of goaltending and whether the two newcomers would be able to transition to the NCAA quickly.
Along with junior netminder Cole Moore, who started both of the Falcons’ games against Niagara and has recorded a .842 save percentage on the season, Steinman and Palmer’s performances have helped answer some of those questions by showing how strong the Bowling Green goaltending room can be.
While Steinman and Palmer have only started one game apiece, they’re performances are quite encouraging for the outlook of their seasons and BGSU hockey’s season as a whole.
Now a new question arises: who will head coach Dennis “Willi” Williams choose to be his starter on any given night with three goalies who are all proving that they deserve minutes between the pipes?
Willi will have a tough choice in who to start between his three goaltenders this weekend as the Falcons return home to the Slater Family Ice Arena for a weekend series against CCHA opponent Bemidji State on Friday, Oct. 31, and Saturday, Nov. 1.
Falcon Media Sports Network’s Ben Corak will have the call for both games on WBGU 88.1 FM and will be joined by Sean Connelly on Friday night and by Nathan Burkett on Saturday night.
