Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Travel to Miami This Weekend (Nov. 1-2)
October 30, 2002 | Ice Hockey
Oct. 30, 2002
Bowling Green, Ohio -
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Falcons Return to CCHA Action
Bowling Green returns to CCHA action this weekend when it travels to Oxford, Ohio for a two-game series vs. Miami. BGSU is 0-4-0 in the league while Miami is 3-1-0. Face-offs for both games are scheduled for 7:35 p.m. and action can be heard on 88.1 FM (WBGU), as well as at www.bgrso.org and www.bgsufalcons.com.
Bowling Green (2-5-0, 0-4-0) at Miami (6-2-0, 3-1-0)
Bowling Green plays Miami for the second and third time this season with a two-game series this weekend (Nov. 1-2). The two teams already played less than one month ago in the championship game of the first annual Lefty McFadden Invitational (Oct. 5) in Dayton, Ohio. The Redhawks won 2-1 with goals from Stephen Davis and Vince Pulera. MU goaltender David Burleigh stopped 21 shots on 22 faced. The lone BGSU goal came from JR Mark Wires (PP) with an assist from JR defenseman Brian Escobedo. SR Tyler Masters had 38 saves on 40 shots faced for BGSU.
Falcons Return to Goggin Ice Arena
BGSU remembers well the last time they played in Miami's Goggin Ice Arena. The Falcons upset the No. 2-seeded Redhawks (4-3, 4-3 OT) to advance past the first round of the CCHA Playoffs (March 8-9, 2001). The Falcons are 4-5-1 in their last 10 trips to Oxford but hold a 24-14-2 overall record on the road vs. Miami.
Oct. 25 - BGSU 4, Findlay 3 - BGSU scored three unanswered goals in the final 10:31 to defeat visiting Findlay last Friday, 4-3. FR Brett Pilkington began the comeback with a PPG at 9:29 of the third period to bring the Falcons to within one goal (3-2). It was his first career goal. Then, JR captain D'Arcy McConvey tied the game (3-3) at 13:59 before SO Ryan Minnabarriet scored the game-winner with just 1:02 remaining in regulation. It was Minnabarriet's first career game-winner. SR Tyler Masters had 34 saves while BGSU was 1-for-7 on the power play. Findlay was 2-for-5 with the man advantage. It was the first meeting ever between the two schools.
BGSU Snaps Five-Game Losing Streak
During its five-game losing streak, BGSU opponents scored the first goal in each game. On Oct. 25, Findlay netted the first goal, as well. However, the Falcons scored three goals in the final period to notch the win and break its winless streak. The three goals in the third period were the most in a period by the Falcons this season.
Bieksa "Assists" In Win Over Findlay
JR defenseman Kevin Bieksa set a new personal-high with three assists in the 4-3 win over Findlay on Oct. 25. Bieksa assisted on BGSU's first three goals of the game and moved his assists streak to two games. He leads the team with four assists on the season.
Masters Moves Past Charko at BGSU
SR goaltender Tyler Masters had 34 saves vs. Findlay to move him into second place all-time at BGSU in career saves. Masters passed Wally Charko (2,919) for second place and now has 2,930 for his career. He is 650 saves away from former Falcon Gary Kruzich (3,580) for the all-time career saves mark at Bowling Green. He is third this season in the CCAH with 172 saves.
BGSU's Top-Five goalies 1) Gary Kruzich (1983-87) 3,580 2) Tyler Masters (99-SA) 2,930 3) Wally Charko (1977-81) 2,919 4) Paul Connell (1986-90) 2,442 5) Mike Liut (1973-77) 2,204
Scott Paluch Wins Coaching Debut
First-year head coach Scott Paluch (BGSU '91) won his coaching debut in the season-opener (Oct. 4) with a 4-1 BGSU decision over Niagara at the Lefty McFadden Invitational. Paluch became the fourth coach in BGSU's 33-year-history to win his Falcon debut behind the bench.
Falcons Win First Season Opener in Four Years
BGSU won its season opener for the first time in four years with a 4-1 victory against Niagara on Oct. 4. Bowling Green finished with two PPGs, one from JR Mark Wires and another from SO Steve Brudzewski. SR Tyler Masters stopped 23 of 24 shots faced in net while the Falcon special teams killed off all four Niagara power plays. BGSU finished 2-for-4 on the power play. Also collecting goals for the Falcons were JR Roger Leonard and SO Ryan Minnabarriet. The last season-opening victory for BGSU was on Oct. 9, 1998 (4-2 over Miami).
Falcon Special Teams
BGSU began the season killing off the first 17 power plays by its opponents. Meanwhile, the Falcon power play was 6-for-16 (.375) over the same time period. Since then, BGSU is 1-for-15 on the power play (four games) and now stands tied for fifth in the CCHA (7-for-31, .226 pct.) for the season with the man advantage.
Falcon First Goals
BGSU freshmen who have netted their first goal this season.
Don Morrison, D Oct. 11 vs. WMU
Mike Falk, F Oct. 18 at FSU
Brett Pilkington, F Oct. 25 vs. Findlay (PP)
SO Steve Brudzewski Brewing...
Forward Steve Brudzewski is tied for the team lead on the Falcons with six points (3-3) in the first seven games of the season. The Dearborn, Mich. native scored only six points (4-2) all of last season (35 games) and it took him eight games before he notched his first collegiate goal. Also, his two PPGs and one short-hander in 2002-03 are the first of his career.
BGSU Kicked off 2002-03 College Hockey Season
BGSU's game vs. Niagara was the season opener for all of College Hockey in the 2002-03 season. On Oct. 1, BGSU had the first exhibition game of the year, as well, with a 5-2 win over Windsor. It was the earliest beginning for BGSU in its 33 years of varsity action.
Minnabarriet "Storms" Out of the Gates, Again
SO Stormy (Ryan) Minnabarriet is having a good start for the second-consecutive season at BGSU. He began his collegiate career on a high note last season, recording all six of his goals in the first 11 games of the year. This season, he has 3-1--4 with one game-winner.
Wires Starts the Season Off Right at the Lefty
JR forward Mark Wires had a successful opening weekend at the Lefty McFadden Invitational (Oct. 4-5). The Ontario native had two goals (both PPG) and an assist to help the Falcons to a second-place finish. Wires netted the game-winner in a 4-1 victory over Niagara. The two PPGs equal his entire amount in 38 games last season and the three points in the two games sets a new personal-best. He was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Masters Earns Spot On All-Lefty Team
SR goalie Tyler Masters registered a .953 save pct. (61 of 64) in two games last weekend, including 38 saves (on 40 shot attempts) against Miami in a 2-1 loss. He registered 23 saves (24 shots) the previous night vs. Niagara. The Miami contest marked Masters' 100th career game in the Brown and Orange.
