Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU To Host #6-Ranked Michigan (Nov. 8-9)
November 05, 2002 | Ice Hockey
Nov. 5, 2002
Bowling Green, Ohio -
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Falcons Begin November Homestand with #6 Michigan
Bowling Green begins a four-game homestand in the month of November with a visit from #6-ranked Michigan (5-1-0, 2-0-0). The last visit from the Wolverines to the BGSU Ice Arena was Oct. 20-22, 2000 (6-1, 4-3 Michigan victories). Upcoming home games in the month of November will be against Team U.S.A. Under-18 (Nov. 15) and Michigan State (Nov. 22).
Bowling Green (2-7-0, 0-6-0) vs. #6 Michigan (5-1-0, 2-0-0)
Bowling Green and Michigan will play the 91st and 92nd games in the 32-year history of the series this weekend. The first game between the two schools was Dec. 29, 1971 (UM 4-1). Michigan defeated the USNTDP U-18 on Friday, 8-2, at Yost Ice Arena, while the Falcons dropped a two-game series at Miami (3-2, 6-1). The only loss by the Wolverines this season came against North Dakota on Oct. 12 (5-4 OT).
Paluch No Stranger to Wolverines
First-year BGSU coach Scott Paluch has not been in the CCHA for eight years, but he has seen Michigan up close three times within the last four seasons while at Boston College as an associate head coach. The Eagles fell to Michigan in the 1998 National Championship, 3-2, and defeated the Wolverines in the 2001 National Semifinals, 4-2, en route to the National Championship. BC beat UM earlier that season, as well, 8-5. As a player for the Brown and Orange (1984-88), Paluch was 9-7-0 vs. the Wolverines.
Recent Bowling Green Games...
Nov. 2 - Miami 6, BGSU 1 - Miami capitalized on 13 BGSU penalties by going 4-for-7 on the power play and defeating the Falcons, 6-1. The Redhawks had 49 shots on goal compared to BGSU's 25. SR Tyler Masters had 43 saves in net for BGSU with only two even-strength goals. FR Ryan Barnett scored his first collegiate goal at 8:39 of the third period for the Falcons' lone score (Falk/Minnabarriet).
Nov. 1 - Miami 3, BGSU 2 - The Falcons attempted a third-period comeback against the Redhawks but fell short, losing at Miami, 3-2. After a scoreless first period, BGSU began the scoring in the second period with a PPG from FR Mike Falk at 9:53 (Bieksa/Escobedo). It was the first PPG of his career. However, Miami scored the next three goals of the game for a 3-1 lead early in the third period. JR captain D'Arcy McConvey attempted a penalty shot at 10:03 of the third period which would have brought the Falcons to within one, but missed after going stick-side on David Burleigh. BGSU did cut it to within one at 15:24 with an unassisted goal by Bieksa, but got no closer. Miami had 30 shots on net while BGSU had 21. SO Jordan Sigalet had 27 saves for the Falcons.
Oct. 25 - BGSU 4, Findlay 3 - BGSU scored three unanswered goals in the final 10:31 to defeat visiting Findlay, 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.
Bieksa Point/Assist Streak Snapped
JR defenseman Kevin Bieksa had his three-game assist/point streak snapped in Saturday's 6-1 loss at Miami. The assistant captain leads BGSU in points (2-5--7) and assists so far this year in nine games. He is already halfway to his career-high of 10 assists from a year ago in 40 games played.
Falk Moving Up Points Ladder
FR Mike Falk scored his first career power-play goal on Friday at Miami in the second period. The Davisburg, Mich. native added an assist on BGSU's lone goal on Saturday in a 6-1 loss to the Redhawks. Falk is tied for second on the team in overall scoring (2-4--6) in nine games, and leads the Falcons in league scoring in six CCHA games (2-3--5).
Barnett Lights the Lamp for First Time
FR Ryan Barnett netted his first career goal in a 6-1 loss on Saturday to Miami. He has one point in nine games. Barnett became the fourth freshman this season to net his first goal for the Falcons. Defenseman Jon Sitko and forward Brandon Piersol are the others waiting for their first goal.
Falcon First GoalsFalcons Penalized vs. Miami
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) Ryan Barnett, F Nov. 2 at Miami
BGSU took a season-high 13 penalties in the 6-1 loss on Saturday at Miami. Those penalties resulted in 45 minutes of penalty time, also a season-worst. Miami capitalized, finishing 4-for-7 on the power play.
Chris Pedota Sees First Action
SO defenseman Chris Pedota saw his first action ever in the Brown and Orange over the weekend at Miami. The Westbury, N.Y. native played in both games, filling in for the suspended Matt Lynn, and finished minus-1 in the two games.
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.
Masters Moves Past Charko at BGSU
SR goaltender Tyler Masters had 43 saves vs. Miami on Saturday to move him closer to the all-time record at BGSU in career saves. Masters passed Wally Charko (2,919) for second place on Oct. 25 vs. Findlay. He now has 2,973 career saves and is 607 from former Falcon Gary Kruzich (3,580) for the all-time career saves mark at Bowling Green.
BGSU's Top-Five goalies
1) Gary Kruzich (1983-87) 3,580
2) Tyler Masters (99-SA) 2,973
3) Wally Charko (1977-81) 2,919
4) Paul Connell (1986-90) 2,442
5) Mike Liut (1973-77) 2,204
Bowling Green Finishes Second at Lefty McFadden Invitational
The Falcons lost 2-1 to Miami (OH) on Oct. 5 in the championship game of the first annual Lefty McFadden Invitational in Dayton, Ohio. The tournament was held at the E.J. Nutter Center. JR forward Mark Wires scored his second power-play goal of the tournament in the loss while SR Tyler Masters had 38 saves on 40 shots faced. It was the first-ever meeting between the two schools at a neutral site.
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 2-for-24 on the power play (six games) and now stands tied for sixth in the CCHA (8-for-40, .200 pct.) for the season with the man advantage.
Wires/Masters Named All-Tournament at Lefty McFadden
JR Mark Wires scored two PPGs and an assist to help the Falcons to a runner-up finish at the Lefty McFadden Invitational (Oct. 4-5). The two PPGs equalled his entire total from last season. SR goalie Tyler Masters made 61 saves on 64 shots faced in the two games, including 23 in a 4-1 win over Niagara.
