After a Friday game in which BGSU hockey (4-3-3, 4-1-3) and Ferris State (2-10, 1-5) unleashed fourteen total goals, both teams entered Saturday’s contest looking to tighten up on defense.
At first, it was close, with a lot of physicality on the boards and solid defense at the net for both squads. But soon, BG began to find shooting lanes and exploit them.
Midway through the first period, freshman forward Noah Morneau opened up the scoring, logging his fourth goal of the weekend series. Senior forward Jaden Grant soon followed that up with back-to-back scores, putting BG ahead 3-0.
By the first period’s end, BGSU had 12 shots on goal; Ferris State had three. The gap between the two teams in terms of offensive output was clear.
With less than a minute left in the first, Bulldog forward Carter Rapalje broke away down the ice and delivered a slapshot to the middle of the net that was saved by Falcon sophomore goalkeeper Tyler Palmer.
The main difference between Saturday’s and Friday’s contests was not in offensive output; BG scored well in both games. The difference was defensive, as BG found ways to shut down Ferris State’s passing lanes and load the slot on Saturday.
Multiple players, like Morneau, sophomore forward Max Martin, and freshman forward Brandon Whynott, had big-time blocks.
Two minutes into the second period, however, the Bulldogs responded with a goal of their own, from senior forward John Lundy.
The game was physical like Friday’s game, with junior defender Gustav Stjernberg getting plenty of checks against the boards.
The Falcons’ ability to clean up their defensive miscues from the day before shows the disciplined approach that head coach Dennis Williams has instilled in his team. The team also values aggressive shot-making.
“I love shot volume,” Williams said. “Because you’re keeping the (other team’s) defense out of their structure.”
Both teams settled into more of a stalemate for the rest of the second period, with lots of physical checks and solid O-zone defense. Ferris got more aggressive, but Palmer held it down at the net.
With two minutes left in the second, Palmer made a butterfly save. He had a solid outing, making 14 saves on the day and only allowing two goals.
“I think we’re really confident with Palms and all our goalies,” Grant said. “We’re confident with him and he did a good job tonight.”
In the third period, junior forward Brody Waters drove in the dagger, scoring from the right side of the offensive zone.
But the Bulldogs answered back a few minutes later, when Rapalje scored.
BG’s offensive attack was balanced; the Falcons logged ten assists and spread the puck around well.
In the final minute, Waters scored again, finishing a dominant outing, and series for the Falcon team.
The Falcons are back in action against St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, on Nov. 21 at 8:07 p.m. Falcon Media Sports Network’s Nathan Burkett will be on the call on WBGU 88.1 FM. Full coverage can be found at and at bgfalconmedia.com.
