BGSU hockey (12-6-4, 9-4-3) hosted Lake Superior State University (9-14-1, 6-10-0) at the Slater Family Ice Arena last weekend, where the Falcons secured a 3-1 victory on Friday night, followed by a 1-0 defeat on Saturday.
This weekend, Bowling Green will make the trip to Bemidji, Minnesota, to face the Bemidji State Beavers (9-12-3, 7-6-3) at BSU’s Sanford Center on Jan. 23 and 24.
During BGSU hockey’s weekly press conference held on Jan. 20, head coach Dennis “Willi” Williams discussed his team’s series against LSSU, their upcoming series against Bemidji, losing a captain due to injury and how players have had to step up due to injuries.
Here are the Falcon Four takeaways from the press conference:
Lake Superior State University
The Falcons claimed three of a possible six points towards the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) standings by claiming a 3-1 victory and a 1-0 loss during their weekend series against the Lakers of LSSU at the Slater Family Ice Arena.
Williams was very happy with his team’s effort across the two games despite the losing scoreline on Saturday.
“We did a lot of good things, we just didn’t score,” said Williams. “At the end of the day, if we have that type of effort and I call it execution as well, sometimes the puck goes in, sometimes it doesn’t.
“We’re defending hard, we’re defending the right areas, sometimes the puck doesn’t cross the line for ya, and you face a good goalie, what else can you do. To me, zone time was double, zone time possession was double, faceoffs were strong, our 50/50 battles were up. Yeah, a lotta good, just unfortunately that little rubber puck just didn’t get across the line, so what else can you do?”
Bemidji State
Bemidji State enters this weekend having lost their last four conference games after suffering weekend sweeps at the hands of St. Thomas (14-7-3, 11-3-2) and Michigan Tech (16-8-2, 11-3-2). BSU will be entering this weekend as the home team and will look to get back on track against Bowling Green.
“We got a bigger beast coming in front of us with Bemidji, who’s coming off, last two weekends, four losses in league play,” said Williams. “They’re back at home, and it’s a tough building, and Tom Serratore (Bemidji State head coach) does a great job and Travis (Travis Winter, Bemidji associate head coach). It’s gonna be such a battle for our group, mentally and physically up there.”
In Willi’s time as BG’s head coach, the Falcons have played Bemidji State six times, all of which have ended with one-goal differences, and five of the six games have gone to overtime and/or a shootout.
“I think both teams play a lotta of the same style, fast pace, relentless, neither team gives up, neither team really feels like they’re out of the game whenever they play,” said Willi. “It’s hard to close ‘em out. We’ve had some games up there last year where we had the lead going into it, they scored a six-on-five goal with about three, four, five, seconds left, and then they won in overtime. Five seconds away from having a win and three points goes to one point, so we have to rely on our leadership group, our returning coaching staff, Curt (Curtis Carr, BGSU associate head coach) and I, to know this here is a resilient group too, much like ourselves, and it’s gonna be a battle.”
Losing a captain
Bowling Green has struggled with injuries all season, with multiple players missing time throughout the year. Recently, the injury bug struck BG captain and senior defenseman Dalton Norris, who had to leave Saturday night’s game with an apparent leg injury.
“He’s obviously the captain for a reason, and a clearout, salt to the earth, true, in and out, four-year, Bowling Green Falcon hockey player,” said Williams about his team’s captain. “What fans see with him on the ice is only half of what he brings off the ice to our group and his leadership, his ability to rally the guys in the right direction, to take on a lot of ownership with our group, and he’s a big reason for our success this year, so far.”
Willi explained he expects Norris to be back on the ice eventually.
“He’s done a really good job mentoring the younger players as well as returning players and getting everybody on the same page. So, when you see your captain go down, who’s obviously a senior in his last year, it’s always a little bit gut-wrenching there because he’s put and poured so much of his time into BG. Not only BG hockey, but also to the community and to the university,” said Williams. “He’s through and through a true Bowling Green hockey player, and he’ll definitely be back at some point. Knowing his work ethic and his determination, he’s gonna follow protocols and he’ll wanna get back, I’m sure, sooner than later.”
Stepping up during injuries
While Norris is the most recent Falcon to suffer an injury, freshman forward Noah Morneau and sophomore forward Adam Zlnka also missed games in the last series due to injuries.
The injury to Morneau is especially problematic for the Falcons, as the freshman from Windsor, Ontario, has served as the top-line center regularly throughout this season and has forced multiple players to step up during his absence.
“We had to move Connor Levis to the middle of the ice, who hasn’t been a centerman, so that’s always difficult. I think he’s done a really nice job of that because it’s not easy being thrown in and being asked to play 10-12 minutes, especially in a position where most of the year he’s played wing,” said Willi. “I definitely give him a big kudos for his willingness and attentiveness to jump in and do a great job for us, and obviously, Jake Sloan’s playing more minutes too. So, we have two freshman centermen who are logging a lot more ice time than they’re used to. We’re gonna have to continue to build off that, but I must say, guys like Ben Doran and Jaden Grant have done a really nice job elevating their game and responsibilities with Noah being out of the lineup as well.”
