Bowling Green State University Athletics
Hockey Hopes Late-Season Momentum Carries Over Into 2001-02
August 23, 2001 | Ice Hockey
Aug. 23, 2001
By KEVIN GORDON, Sentinel Assistant Sports Editor - The way last season ended for the Bowling Green Falcon hockey team provides encouragement this season.
The Falcons went on the road and upset second-seeded Miami and fifth-seeded Northern Michigan to advance to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association semifinals.
The strong finish sweetened an otherwise sour season for the Falcons, who were tied for ninth in the league with an 8-15-5 record. BG finished 16-19-5 overall.
"The biggest thing coming into the season is the players have a real good attitude -- with the players, that was a major hurdle," said BG head coach Buddy Powers, who is starting his eighth season.
Amazingly, the Falcons nearly missed the playoffs last season as they had to win three of their last four games just to clinch a post-season berth. BG has had four straight losing seasons overall and five straight losing seasons in the league.
"We come into the year with a real good feeling about things," Powers said. "Now, we have to step up and do it again, and be willing to reach for a higher plateau than the one we've been on before."
The Falcons figure to be strong in goal, with the return of junior Tyler Masters, and on defense.
The major question facing the team is scoring. BG averaged only 2.7 goals per game overall last season, including just 2.57 goals per game in league play. The Falcons scored at 18.8 percent on the power play, netting only 45 goals in 40 games.
The Falcons were 9-14-5 in games decided by two goals or less last season, including a 6-9 mark in one-goal games. BG's late-season surge, however, was fueled by five straight wins in one-goal games.
"We didn't score enough goals. We need some guys to develop offensively. Guys have to fill bigger roles," Powers said.
"All of the games are going to be close, so another goal or two is going to make a big, big difference in the way our season goes. Scoring goals is such an uplifting thing because it really energizes you."
Senior center Greg Day will lead the Falcons after totaling a team-best 47 points last season. His 20 goals were second-best. The only other returning player with six or more goals last season is senior right wing Scott Hewson, who had nine goals and 28 points.
The Falcons must replace Ryan Murphy, who led the team with 23 goals and was second with 38 points.
Powers hopes senior Austin de Luis (5-5=10) and junior Tyler Knight (4-4=8) can increase their production, along with sophomores Roger Leonard (5-7=12), Mark Wires (4-1=5) and D'Arcy McConvey (4-15=19).
The Falcons return Masters and five defensemen who played in BG's 2-1 CCHA semifinal loss to top-seeded Michigan State. The returning defensemen are seniors Grady Moore, Marc Barlow and Joe Statkus, and sophomores Kevin Bieksa and Brian Escobedo.
Masters is coming off one of the best seasons ever by a Falcon goalie. His 2.47 goals-against average was second-best in school history and his .922 save percentage was the best ever.
Freshman Jordan Sigalet, a seventh-round draft choice of the NHL's Boston Bruins in June, may challenge Masters for playing time.
"I like our goaltending," Powers said. "Masters had a tremendous year and he'll continue to push to get better because he wants to be the best goalie in the league. He's our number one guy.
"Sigalet will also want to play, but Masters wants to play, too. Sigalet will push him to keep doing his best. (Sigalet) has a tremendous future, but we won't know what we have with him until he gets here."
The Falcons allowed only 2.8 goals per game last season. In league games only, BG was tied for sixth in goals allowed (2.93 per game) and third in penalty-killing (84 percent).
Moore and Barlow played well late in the season following slow starts, while Bieksa and Escobedo developed into regulars with solid play. Bieksa also was an NHL draft pick in June, going in the fifth round to Vancouver.
Statkus was reliable as well.
But BG has to replace veterans Doug Schueller and Louis Mass, who provided a physical presence.
"We had a lot of good efforts, but we have some shoes to fill and our returning guys need to continue to improve," Powers said.
Eight freshmen -- one goalie, two defensemen and five forwards -- will have a chance to earn playing time.
"We'll see when they get here just how much they might be able to help," Powers said. "Some guys can step right in and look comfortable, and some guys need some time to adjust. With every guy, it's different."
