The BG hockey team will begin Western Collegiate Hockey Association play on the road this weekend against the University of Alabama-Huntsville.
The Falcons have a 9-3-1 all-time series lead against the Chargers.
“I think the boys are pretty excited just because it’s our first real road trip together, which are always fun, but at the same time we’re going there to get two wins,” captain Dan DeSalvo said.
Last weekend, the Falcons split a home-and-home series against the 10th ranked Miami Redhawks. On Friday night at the BGSU Ice Arena, the Falcons won 3-2. However, in Oxford on Sunday night the Falcons lost 3-2 to split the weekend series.
Forward Kevin Dufour scored three of the five BG goals over the weekend, and four different rookies scored at least one point over the weekend. Rookie defenseman Nolan Valleau recorded two assists in each game over the weekend, including an assist on four the five Falcon goals against Miami.
“He’s a great skater and we think Nolan has the potential to be a really good player. He’s played well,” head coach Chris Bergeron said.
Freshman defenseman Mark Friedman, who was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round of the 2014 NHL Draft, scored his first collegiate goal in his career in the third period in Sunday’s loss.
Jakob Reichert, a 6’5” freshman forward, also tallied his first collegiate point in his career, recording an assist on Friedman’s goal on Sunday against Miami.
The Chargers and Falcons are both in their second season in the WCHA. The Chargers finished in last place in the WCHA last season with a 2-35-1 overall record in head coach Mike Corbett’s first season.
Alabama-Huntsville picked up its first conference victory in overtime at Bowling Green last December. However, The Falcons hold a 43-26 goal advantage in the all-times series against the Chargers and have outscored them 16-4 over the last four meetings.
The Chargers currently have a record of 0-2, while BG enters this weekend with a 1-1 record. The Chargers lost to Colorado College last Friday night by a score of 3-2. They also lost Saturday night 4-3 as Colorado College completed the weekend sweep.
Falcon goaltenders Tomas Sholl and Tommy Burke each shared time in net over the weekend. Sholl started in net on Friday night and made 22 saves in the Falcon victory. Burke started Sunday’s road game and made 26 saves on the night.
“I thought Tommy played well; I don’t think the team in front of him was as strong as they were for Tomas Sholl on Friday,”
Bergeron said.
Friday and Saturday’s games will begin at 7:07 p.m. at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
