Bemidji State has head coach Dennis Williams and Bowling Green’s number. While they still took points against the Beavers, BG was unable to come away with a win in two games.
The first game resulted in a shootout win for Bemidji after a 4-4 tie through overtime. The second game was a 3-2 overtime win for the Beavers for their third win of Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) play.
BGSU trailed 4-2 in the third period of the first game before tying it and couldn’t net an overtime or shootout goal. BSU trailed 2-0 in the third period of the second game, scored two power-play goals, and the Falcons were unable to score in overtime, allowing a called-back offside goal and finally a good goal to the Beavers.
These two squads have played arguably the most taught hockey of any matchup in the CCHA. In six games against each other this calendar year, Bowling Green is just 1-3-2, taking six of 18 available points in six one-goal games, five overtime games and two shootouts.
They have played essentially even with Bemidji through 60 minutes (16 goals scored to 17 goals against), but have failed to take the extra point in four of those five overtime games.
Although they cannot beat Bemidji State, there are still massive positives out of the weekend and the season. Bowling Green has the third-best goals allowed per game average, only behind Minnesota State and Augustana, which have veteran and stud goaltenders.
The other positives all revolve around Williams and his plan for the team. BG has the most shots on goal by over four in per-game average, third most penalties per game (taking penalties isn’t good, but it is an indication of proper physicality), an over 80% penalty kill percentage and a faceoff winning percentage that is at an incredible 58% (leads the CCHA by over 5%).
If they were able to score one more goal in either game, BG would still sit atop the conference standings, and the discussion may be completely different. However, they are still second, averaging about two CCHA points per game through four games played.
The next opponent for the Orange and Brown is Minnesota State this weekend on the road in Mankato, Minnesota. The defending MacNaughton Cup (CCHA regular season) and Mason Cup (CCHA tournament) champions received eight of 14 first-place votes in the preseason media poll and four of nine first-place votes in the preseason coaches’ poll.
Maybe the most difficult opponent of the season for Bowling Green is against a team that they have taken just one win in 17 games since 2019-20. The Falcons’ first of two series against the Mavericks this season comes this Friday and Saturday, Falcon media Sports Network broadcasting both games on WBGU 88.1 FM starting at 7:45 p.m. for game one and 6:45 p.m. for game two.
