Friday, February 24
Bowling Green, Ohio
7:05 p.m.
Bowling Green State University
4
vs
3
Michigan
Photo by: Todd Pavlack / BGSUHockey.com
Late Falcon Goal Gives Bowling Green The 4-3 Win Over No. 3 Michigan
February 24, 2012 | Ice Hockey
Bryce Williamson's goal with 1:24 remaining pushes Bowling Green to victory
BOXSCORE | Photo Gallery
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio. – The Bowling Green State University ice hockey team defeated the University of Michigan Friday night, beating the Wolverines by a score of 4-3 at the BGSU Ice Arena. Sophomores Chad Sumsion, Cam Wojtala, Bryce Williamson and freshman Adam Berkle all scored for the Falcons, while goaltender Andrew Hammond stopped 27-of-30 shots for his 10th win of the season.
The puck barely hit the ice before the first goal of the game was scored; as Michigan drew first blood just 38 seconds into the contest. Wolverine freshman Phil Di Giuseppe threw the puck on net, beating Hammond for his 10th goal of the season, giving Michigan the early 1-0 lead.
Bowling Green refused to bow to the high powered Wolverines, as the Falcons responded with a goal of their own just six seconds later. Sumsion carried the puck into the Wolverine zone after the ensuing faceoff, and beat Michigan goaltender Shawn Hunwick with a wrist shot at the high circle. The goal marked Sumsion's first tally of the season, and tied the game 1-1.
The Wolverines kept up the pressure however, as senior David Wohlberg jammed home a rebound in front for his 12th goal of the season, giving Michigan the 2-1 lead just under five minutes into the first period.
The Falcons kept pace however, scoring a power-play tally at the 13:42 mark of the opening period. Bowling Green cycled the puck down low with the man advantage, before Wojtala turned at the right faceoff dot, and fired a shot a shot over the shoulder of Hunwick. The goal marked Wojtala's eighth of the season, and tied the game 2-2.
Michigan would score the only goal in the second period with just under three minutes remaining in the middle frame. Wohlberg fed a pass in front of the Bowling Green net, where it found freshman Alex Guptill's stick for the tip in goal. The goal marked Guptill's 16th tally of the season, and gave Michigan the 3-2 lead heading into the third period.
Bowling Green stood toe-to-toe with Michigan in the final frame, as both teams continued to gather quality-scoring chances throughout the third period.
The Falcons persistence paid off with just 6:47 left to play in the game, as senior Cameron Sinclair threw a screened shot at the Michigan net, that caught Hunwick off guard. The Wolverine goaltender made the initial save, but let up a huge rebound that Berkle slammed home for his fifth goal of the season.
With just over two minutes remaining in the game, Guptill accepted a pass out of the Wolverine zone and flew in on Hammond looking for the game-winning goal. Just as Guptill was ready to shoot, freshman defenseman Connor Kucera made a perfect diving play, breaking up the Wolverine breakaway, and preserving the 3-3 tie.
As Michigan prepared to exit their zone for one final rush, Williamson stole the puck in front of the Michigan cage, and sent a shot towards the Wolverine net.
Williamson's shot flew past Hunwick with just 1:24 remaining in the game. The goal marked Williamson's eighth goal of the season, and gave Bowling Green the late 4-3 lead.
Michigan was unable to solve Hammond in the final minute, giving the Falcons the 4-3 win.
The Falcons victory Friday night snapped Bowling Green's four-game losing streak, dating back to a 4-2 loss to Northern Michigan (Feb. 10) at the BGSU Ice Arena.
Wojtala's power-play goal also snapped the Falcons' nine-game power-play scoring drought. Before Friday night, the last Falcon power-play goal came in a 3-1 win against Alaska on Jan. 20 in Fairbanks.
Sumsion's first period goal marked his first tally of the season, and first since the Falcons' 2-1 over Northern Michigan (March 6, 2011) in the playoffs last season.
The win puts the Falcons' overall record at 10-20-5, with a record of 5-18-4-3 in conference play. The loss drops the Wolverines' record to 20-11-4, with a record of 14-9-4-1 in CCHA action.
The Falcons hit the ice again Saturday night, facing off against Michigan in the final game of the regular season. The puck drops at the BGSU Ice Arena at 7:05 p.m.
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