The Falcon hockey team begins this weekend’s home-and-home series against Ohio State ranked 19 in the nation. This is the first time the Falcons have been ranked since the 2007-2008 season.
“Our guys have worked really hard to get recognized from a national perceptive and they deserve that,” head coach Chris Bergeron said.
Overall, the Falcons are 7-2-1 and 5-1-1 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
BG holds a 90-60-8 all-time series lead against Ohio State. However, the Falcons are 1-2-2 in the last five meetings against the Buckeyes.
“It’s a rivalry that should be kept alive, we’re in close proximity to each other. We’re excited to have a name like Ohio State in our building on Friday night,” Bergeron said.
Ohio State enters this weekend’s series with a 2-5-1 overall record. Last weekend, the Buckeyes were swept at home against Nebraska-Omaha, allowing four goals in both games.
Last weekend, BG traveled to Fairbanks, Alaska, to face the University of Alaska in a conference series.
The Falcons earned a weekend series sweep, winning both games by a score of 3-2. Last weekend’s sweep is the second time the Falcons have swept a conference opponent this season.
“You can never downplay going to Alaska and winning two games, that’s not easy to do,” Bergeron said.
The Falcons are averaging 3.4 goals-per-game on the road and currently have a 5-1-1 record on the road this season.
BG goaltender Tommy Burke started both games and made a series total of 62 saves. Burke was named the WCHA Defensive Player of the Week.
“He’s solidified himself right now with his play today, that doesn’t mean that Tomas Sholl or Chris Nell are out of the conversation,” Bergeron said.
Forward Mark Cooper recorded two goals and one assist over the weekend, to help the Falcons sweep in Fairbanks for the first time since the 1995-1996 season. Forward Matt Pohlkamp also recorded two goals last weekend, including the game-winning goal Friday night.
“We try not to rely on one line or couple of guys, it makes things easier when everyone is contributing,” BG captain Dan DeSalvo said.
Kevin Dufour leads the team with 10 points and leads the NCAA in goals scored with nine. Dufour also recorded an assist in Saturday’s game.
BG looks to improve their current winning streak to four games when they face Ohio State Friday. The puck drops at 8:07 p.m. at the BG Ice Arena.
Saturday’s game will be in Columbus at the Value City Ice Arena. The game will begin at 7:05 p.m.
