The Bowling Green Falcons (2-2-2, 2-0-2) hosted the Bemidji State Beavers (5-4-1, 3-0-1) in the second game of their doubleheader home opening series, with the Beavers defeated the Falcons on an overtime game-winner.
The Falcons had the man advantage early as senior center Reilly Funk for the Beavers was called for cross-checking and senior forward Quinn Emerson netted the first goal on the Orange and Brown’s fourth shot of the night. The goal was assisted by junior defenseman Breck McKinley and junior forward Tyler Hotson.
Bemidji State had a solid look to tie it as senior center Jack Blake broke away with the puck, but a blocker save by freshman goaltender Jacob Steinman kept it a 1-0 game. Despite BGSU going over six minutes without a shot on goal, they outshot the Beavers 11-10 in the first period. Five total penalties were issued in the first period, the Falcons being the recipients of three of those penalties.
In the second period, Bowling Green took a 2-0 lead as freshman defenseman Brayden Crampton scored an unassisted goal, as it was his second netted puck of the season.
In the third period, the Beavers finally got on the board as junior center Oliver Peer shot the puck as it deflected off the back wall right to him for an unassisted goal. It was Peer’s fifth goal of the season.
With nine minutes to go in regulation, senior forward Adam Flammang scored the tying goal to level it at two. It was his third goal of the season. With less than a minute remaining, the Beavers had a breakaway with the puck, but Steinman stretched out his right leg for an amazing save to keep it a 2-2 game. The game
In overtime, sophomore defenseman Hudson Thornton scored what would have been the game winner, but after official review, the play was overturned as a player was offside. Later in the period, Thornton would then beat the defender and score the game-winning goal, which was upheld.
Extracurricular action happened after the game ended.
“I thought we played a good hockey game. I’m not upset with the game,” BGSU head coach Dennis Williams said postgame. “The way we acted after needs to be addressed. That is not our culture, that is not Bowling Green hockey.”
There were many bright spots tonight despite the loss. The Falcons have been outscored 11-3 in second periods so far this season, and they were able to shutout the Beavers tonight.
Bowling Green totaled 27 shots on goal as a team, with 11 total blocked shots as well. Steinman had a .897 save percentage, saving 26 shots.
The Falcons will head on the road up north to Mankato, Minnesota, to play the Minnesota State Mavericks on Friday at 8:07 p.m.
