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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Michigan
#6 Michigan Defeats Falcon Icers, 6-4
November 08, 2002 | Ice Hockey
Nov. 8, 2002
Bowling Green, Ohio - Sixth-ranked Michigan scored four goals in the second period and went on to post a 6-4 decision over Bowling Green Friday night at the BGSU Ice Arena. The Falcons cut into the lead with two goals in the final period but dropped the Central Collegiate Hockey Association contest to the defending conference champions.
"Michigan certainly was a team that we thought was going to come in prepared," said BGSU coach Scott Paluch. "I thought the difference in the game was Michigan's ability to finish in transition. When the puck was turned over...if it wasn't in the net it was a terrific scoring chance. I thought it was a well-played game by both teams."
BGSU (2-8-0 overall, 0-7-0 CCHA) reached the scoring column first at just 3:17 in the first period with junior Mark Wires' fifth goal of the season. Sophomore Alex Rogosheske and senior Tyler Knight assisted on the goal. It was Rogosheske's first point as a Falcon.
Michigan answered just over five minutes later to knot the game at 1-1 when Brandon Rogers scored on the power play. The first period ended 1-1 with UM holding a 12-7 shot advantage.
UM (6-1-0 overall, 3-0-0 CCHA) began the second period with a short-handed goal at 1:24 by Dwight Helminen and added another goal by Eric Werner at 5:36 for a 3-1 lead.
BGSU came right back with a power-play goal by sophomore Steve Brudzewski (7:48) to cut the Wolverine lead to 3-2. Sophomore Chris Pedota and captain D'Arcy McConvey assisted on the goal. It was Pedota's first point in the Brown and Orange.
However, Michigan then scored two unanswered goals to stretch its lead to 5-2 before the end of the second period. The shots were even for both teams in the second period, 10-10.
Another Falcon power-play goal, this time by freshman Brett Pilkington (4:30) in the third period brought the home team to within two goals, 5-3. Knight got his second assist on the night with another assist coming from freshman defenseman Don Morrison.
Michigan built its lead back to three goals, though, with a power-play tally by Michael Woodford at 10:10 in the third. The final goal of the game came with just six seconds left in the game via a scrum outside the crease and was scored by junior Kip Horner. It was Horner's first collegiate goal and he was assisted by junior Erik Eaton and freshman Jon Sitko.
"We wanted create chances," said Paluch. "You certainly don't want to get in a run-and-gun game with Michigan because their transition game is so strong. We've got a very good effort from our team all year. As long as there is time on the clock we're going to compete.
"When the game was still in doubt the two power play goals and the short hander was critical to the momentum of the game," Paluch said about the second period. "There's a lot of different ways to get swing goals in hockey, and that was certainly a swing goal in the game."
UM held a 33-24 shot advantage for the game while both teams finished 2-for-7 on the power play. Both teams ended with 10 shots apiece on their respective power plays.
BGSU's Tyler Masters had 27 saves in goal while UM freshman Al Montoya had 20 saves.
"Early in the game he had a couple of great saves when we had to go side to side. He gave us a chance to get up on top in the game, which was important," Paluch said about Masters.
BGSU hosts Michigan on Saturday at the BGSU Ice Arena. Face-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
