Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Windsor
Falcons Defeat Windsor In Exhibition Game, 5-2
October 01, 2002 | Ice Hockey
Oct. 1, 2002
Bowling Green, Ohio - Bowling Green opened its season with an exhibition win over visiting University of Windsor on Tuesday night at the BGSU Ice Arena, 5-2.
BGSU did in its first competition of the 2002-03 season that it was only able to do twice in 40 games last season; attempt more than 40 shots on net. The Falcons ended with 46 shots to Windsor's 15 and controlled the pace for most of the game.
"We made some great plays down the stretch," said BGSU coach Scott Paluch. "I think Brudzewski's play to make it a two-goal game was a terrific effort. Those are the type of plays we are going to need consistently down the stretch to win hockey games."
After BGSU scored the first three goals of the game, Windsor netted two unanswered goals with one late in the second period and another early in the third period, narrowing the Falcon lead to 3-2.
The BGSU lead stayed at just one goal until sophomore Steve Brudzewski scored at 14:55 in the third period. Ryan Minnabarriet and Kevin Bieksa assisted on the goal to push the Falcon lead back to two goals, 4-2.
Then, Minnabarriet put the game away with a power play goal at 18:54 in the third period for the final 5-2 verdict. Bieksa and Don Morrison earned the assists.
"This is the type of hockey game that goes on every single Saturday and Sunday night in college hockey," said Paluch. "The games are close down the stretch and you have to make plays when the game's on the line."
Captain D'Arcy McConvey got BGSU in the scoring column early when he scored at 3:44 of the first period. Ryan Barnett and Tyler Knight assisted on the game's first goal.
Junior Roger Leonard then made his mark by connecting with two power play goals, one at 8:04 in the first period and the other at 14:03 in the second period. He was the game's first star.
"Roger is a workhorse," said Paluch. "He brings a lot to our team. He makes a lot of contact out there and we saw Roger with nice little touch with some situations in corners, and creating not only with his contact but his ability to make plays."
BGSU was 3-for-9 on its power play attempts and killed off all seven Windsor power plays.
Senior Tyler Masters had two saves in the first period and seven in the second period before leaving at 9:57 in the second period. Sophomore Jordan Sigalet finished the game in net for the Falcons, surrendering both Windor goals while collecting four saves over the final 30:03 of the contest.
BGSU held a 13-4 shot advantage in the first period, 19-8 in the second and 14-5 in the final period.
"I thought the enthusiasm was there, we were fired up to play," said Paluch. "But I also think we made a lot of contact. We finished checks, which was good, and that's a big part of what we're trying to achieve."
Bowling Green kicks off the regular season this Friday, Oct. 4, at the Lefty McFadden Invitational in Dayton, Ohio. The Falcons will take on Niagara at 5 p.m. in the E.J. Nutter Center. Miami plays Air Force in the second game. The consolation game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Saturday with the championship game slated for 7:30 p.m.
