Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
RPI
Bowling Green Drops Non-Conference Decision at RPI, 3-0
January 18, 2002 | Ice Hockey
Jan. 18, 2002
Troy, N.Y. - Bowling Green State University began its final non-conference series of the year with a 3-0 loss at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., on Friday night.
RPI goalie James Palmer, starting his first collegiate game for the Engineers, turned back 12 Bowling Green shots and Rensselaer held the Falcons to 0-for-3 on their power play in the first 20 minutes of action. It was the second game in a row that the Brown and Orange outshot its opponent in the opening 20 minutes of play, but both teams went to their lockerrooms after one period scoreless.
RPI's Andrew McPherson appeared to break the scoreless game at 9:18 of the second period during an RPI power play when he got the puck past BGSU's Masters. However, officials called the goal off due to McPherson's high stick on the score and the game remained knotted at 0-0.
Rensselaer's Matt Murley officially broke the scoreless game at 16:45 later in the second period from a pass by Carson Butterwick. Butterwick took a shot on goal and then dished the rebound over to a streaking Murley. It was Murley's fourth goal in two games after a hat trick vs. Union on Wednesday.
Murley and Butterwick hooked up again early in the third period, this time, though, by assisting on Marc Covosie's 11th goal of the season at 4:40 of the third period. The even-strength goal gave the Engineers a 2-0 lead.
The Red and White extended that lead when McPherson stole a pass from Marc Barlow just inside the blue line and shot glove-high past Masters for a three-goal advantage at 17:24.
"They defended their end of the rink better than we did," said BGSU coach Buddy Powers. "The first two periods we didn't get Grade-A opportunities. It comes down to our forwards not playing hard enough. A forward's responsibility is to score goals and we didn't do that tonight."
Nathan Marsters entered the game in the net to begin the second period for the Engineers, playing the final two periods. He finished with 21 saves and the win. Masters ended with 30 saves in 60 minutes of work between the posts for the Brown and Orange.
Each team officially ended with 33 shots on goal.
The Falcons (6-15-4 overall) finish their series at RPI (8-9-2 overall) tomorrow night (Jan. 19) at Houston Field House. Faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
