Bowling Green State University
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WESTERN MICHIGAN
Falcons Suffer Another Close Loss, 3-2
October 12, 2002 | Ice Hockey
Oct. 12, 2002
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Vince Bellisimo's goal early in the third period proved to be the game-winner as host Western Michigan University downed the Bowling Green State University hockey team Saturday night (Oct. 12). The Central Collegiate Hockey Association game was held at Lawson Arena.
With the victory, the Broncos earned a sweep of the weekend home-and-home series, and improved to 2-0, both overall and in the CCHA. The Falcons dropped to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in league action.
The Broncos broke on top with a pair of power-play goals in the first period. Dave Cousineau got the hosts on the board at the 10:06 mark, and Jeff Campbell doubled the lead seven-and-a-half minutes later. The hosts held a 12-5 advantage in shots on goal in that first frame.
The Falcons came alive in the second stanza. Midway through the period, Falcon sophomore goalie Jordan Sigalet broke up a WMU 2-on-0 chance, diving to poke away a Bronco centering effort. Moments later, the Brown and Orange got on the board.
Freshman Mike Falk's shot was partially blocked by WMU goalie Scott Foster, but the puck trickled behind Foster. Mark Wires was lurking on the right side of the net to poke home the loose puck, sliding it between the pads of Foster. In addition to Falk, Eric Eaton drew an assist on the goal at the 11:53 juncture.
The Brown and Orange tied the game just 2:07 later. Ryan Minnabarriet found himself all alone in front of the goal as he skated from the left to the right. Foster stopped his first shot, but Minnabarriet slid the rebound home to tie the score.
But, Bellissimo scored the game-winning goal for the second consecutive night, breaking the tie at the 2:40 mark of the third period.
For the Falcons, the loss marked the third consecutive one-goal setback.
"In the first period, Western clearly came out and controlled the entire pace," said BGSU first-year head coach Scott Paluch. "We had to take a few penalties, and they put us in a hole with the two power-play goals.
"In the final two periods, we executed a lot better. We created a lot of chances and finished a few of those chances. Now, we need to make some plays in the third period.
"We got a tremendous game from Jordan Sigalet. He made some great saves to keep us in the game. He was in control -- he limited his rebounds, and just played a solid game. We have known all along that we have two good goalies that are both very capable.
"We had a breakdown (on the winning goal), and their trailing player was able to put the puck in the net. We had our chances after that, but it is a breakdown in the third period that we have to eliminate."
The Broncos held a 27-21 advantage in shots on goal. Foster made 19 saves for the hosts, including a grade-A save on Wires midway through the third, while Sigalet had 24 saves for the Falcons. BGSU actually held a 16-15 edge in shots over the final two periods.
"It took me a lot of the first period to get the nerves out a bit, but I think we all turned it up in the second and third periods," said Sigalet. "We're getting better, and we're going to get better every game.
"As long as we learn from what we did, and correct our mistakes, we will improve. We were right in it again. We are coming close -- we just need to play a full 60 minutes and avoid those one or two breakdowns that have been killing us."
The Falcons will remain on the road next weekend, heading to Ferris State for a pair of conference contests. Friday's (Oct. 18) game will begin at 7:35 p.m., while Saturday's (Oct. 19) match is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. start.
