BGSU hopes to strengthen its defense by signing freshman goalie Salvatore Evola. He was signed to be between the pipes along with current goalie Christian Stoever, as BG netminder Zack Rose has had some issues with a hip injury. Because of this injury, many recent Falcons games have relied on Stoever to be in Rose’s place, but Bowling Green knew that other options needed to be explored as well, with emphasis on adding depth to the team’s goaltending.

“We’re very fortunate to have landed on Sam,” head coach Ty Eigner said in a press conference on Jan. 18, “our interest in him and his interest in us was important. To get it done all so quickly was something we did not anticipate.”

Although finding another goalie was a very fast process for Bowling Green, especially with finding someone in the middle of the season, Eigner gave high remarks to Evola and believes he can be a huge asset to the Falcons as they fight their way into a playoff spot. “He’s competitive, a hard worker, a really good student, has never shied away from any challenge, always one of those guys who earned everything he’s gotten. So we told him that we had an opportunity.”

Evola, a Michigan native, had previously played in the NAHL for Johnstown Tomahawks. In the 2021-22 season thus far with 24 games under his belt, he has earned a GAA of 2.73 and a save percentage average of .917. The 20 year old freshman hopes to bring more depth in Falcon defense, and can be a viable option for the team along with Christian Stoever. With postseason experience under his belt, the Falcons hope that Evola can be the extra push they need in order to be successful in the upcoming playoffs.