Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Miami
Miami Defeats Falcon Icers, 3-2
November 01, 2002 | Ice Hockey
Nov. 1, 2002
Oxford, Ohio - Bowling Green scored the first and last goal of the game on Friday night but fell to Miami University on the road at Goggin Ice Arena, 3-2.
The Falcons limited the high-scoring Miami offense to just three goals and just 30 shots for the game. MU entered the game averaging more than 40 shots (40.9) per game and 5.2 goals per game, including 74 shots and 13 goals in two games last weekend vs. nationally-ranked Northern Michigan.
"They were not only scoring (in recent games), but they were creating opportunities," BGSU coach Scott Paluch said of Miami. "I think we did a good job of limiting their chances.
"For 60 minutes it was our best overalll effort of the year. We were able create some offense, even though the shots didn't show it."
For the first time in six games, BGSU netted the first goal of the contest when freshman Mike Falk scored on the power play at 9:53 of the second period. His 5-on-3 goal was his second goal of the season and he was assisted by defensemen Kevin Bieksa and Brian Escobedo.
Miami answered with a power play goal of its own from Matt Davis at 14:44 of the second period to knot the game at 1-1. Then the Redhawks went ahead in the game with a goal just under two minutes later from Nick Jardine (16:40) for a 2-1 lead.
Miami (7-2-0 overall, 4-1-0 CCHA) scored its last goal of the game at 5:55 in the third period to go up by two goals, 3-1.
However, BGSU fought back. Midway through the third period the Falcons began to pressure the puck again. When D'Arcy McConvey, Steve Brudzewski and another Falcon were threatening just outside the crease, a Miami player covered the puck in the crease, resulting in a penalty shot by McConvey at 10:03. The junior captain shot stick-side on Miami goalie David Burleigh and was denied, which would have brought the game to within one goal.
BGSU cut its deficit to one later in the period when Bieksa had a loose puck trickle to him at the top of the point and fired top-shelf past Burleigh at 15:24.
However, that was as close as the Falcons would get. Miami outshot BGSU 30-21 for the game, but held just a 9-8 advantage in the final period. Both teams registered one PPG. BGSU was 1-for-5 while Miami was 1-for-4.
Bieksa extended his point streak and assist streak to three games with the goal/assist on Friday. He leads BGSU with six assists.
Burleigh finished with 19 saves while BGSU's sophomore Jordan Sigalet ended with 27 saves on 30 shots faced in 59:24. BGSU had an empty net for 36 seconds in the final period.
BGSU (2-6-0 overall, 0-5-0 CCHA) plays the Redhawks again on Saturday at Goggin Ice Arena. Face-off is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.
