Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
ALASKA
UAF Comes Back to Tie BGSU, 3-3, in CCHA Action
January 03, 2003 | Ice Hockey
Jan. 3, 2003
Bowling Green, Ohio - Despite being down seven players (two dismissals, five suspensions) on Friday night, the BGSU hockey team scored three unanswered goals over the course of the first and second period and finished in a 3-3 tie against visiting Alaska Fairbanks. UAF's Blaine Bablitz scored the game-tying goal with just :31 seconds remaining in the third period to send the game into overtime.
"I thought it was a tremendous effort by our guys tonight," said BGSU coach Scott Paluch. "We knew we were short a few guys, but that didn't change anything in terms of what we expected our team to do. We expected Falcon hockey out of our guys that were eligible and ready to play, and we certainly got that for 65 minutes."
After a fast-paced beginning to the game by both squads, UAF jumped out to the early lead at 3:35 in the first period with a goal from Cam Keith, his second of the season. The score stayed 1-0 for the Nanooks until sophomore Alex Rogosheske netted the first goal of his career at Bowling Green, knotting the game at 1-1 (14:27, first period). Freshman Ryan Barnett and sophomore Ben Assenmacher earned assists.
Then, just over two minutes later, the Falcons gained the lead off of freshman Brett Pilkington's fourth goal of the season at 16:53. Junior Kevin Bieksa and senior Tyler Knight assisted on the goal. BGSU held a 15-12 shot advantage in the first period over the Nanooks.
The Falcons built upon their lead early in the second period with sophomore Ben Assenmacher's first career goal in the Brown and Orange at 4:13. Junior Mark Wires and sophomore Chris Pedota assisted on the goal that gave BGSU a 3-1 lead. UAF came back, though, just :46 seconds later with a goal from Ryan Campbell (4:59). Those were the only two goals in the second period with UAF holding a 17-12 shot advantage in the period.
The third period was owned by UAF as far as shots on goal (14-7), but BGSU maintained the lead all the way up until the final minute thanks to strong goaltending by sophomore Jordan Sigalet. He ended with 43 saves on the night, including 16 in the second period, 13 in the third period, and three in overtime, to earn Perani Cup first-star honors. UAF's Lance Mayes had 33 saves.
Paluch spoke highly of the line of left-wing Taylor Christie (moved from defenseman), center Ben Assenmacher, and right-wing Alex Rogosheske. The line produced two goals and one assist.
"In college hockey, or college athletics, whether it be injuries or like tonight's situation, you have opportunities for a lot of players. Ben (Assenmacher) centering that line really gave a great lift. And Taylor Christie moving up from the defensive position looked like he was playing forward for a long time. And Rogo' gave us what he's given us all year long. He's a heart and soul kind of guy."
UAF held a 46-36 shot advantage, snapping a four-game streak for BGSU where it had 40 or more shots on goal. Both teams finished 0-for-3 on their power plays.
BGSU (3-12-2 overall, 1-9-2 CCHA) finishes it's two-game series with UAF (7-7-3 overall, 4-6-3 CCHA) tomorrow night at the BGSU Ice Arena. Face-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
