Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
MICHIGAN STATE
Falcons Defeat Michigan State, 3-2
January 17, 2004 | Ice Hockey
Jan. 17, 2004
Bowling Green, Ohio - Sensational goaltending by Jordan Sigalet propelled Bowling Green to a 3-2 victory over visiting Michigan State on Saturday night at the BGSU Ice Arena. Sigalet ended with a game-high 40 saves.
Ryan Minnabarriet got the Falcons rolling at just 2:31 of the first period with a power-play goal and added what turned out to be the game-winner at 9:44 of the third period. Minnabarriet's goal in the first period came on BGSU's first shot on goal of the game and was assisted by Steve Brudzewski and Don Morrison. His third-period goal came on just one of BGSU's two shots on net in the final period and was assisted by Jon Sitko and Brett Pilkington.
MSU got offensive power from Ash Goldie who netted both of the Spartans' goals in the third period (3:47 PPG, and 12:24).
BGSU senior Erik Eaton scored his second career goal and first of the season at 17:56 of the second period to give BGSU a 2-0 lead. Defensemen Chris Pedota, playing in his first game of the season, and Brian Escobedo were credited with assits.
"I think everything kind of picked up where we left off last night," said BGSU Coach Scott Paluch, referring to a hard-fought 1-0 loss to the Spartans. "Last night was a tough outcome for us after the way we played. The guys were anxious to get right back."
MSU was 1-for-8 on the power play while BGSU was 1-for-5.
The Spartans held a 42-19 shot advantage for the game, including an incredible 23-2 edge in the third period, which is when Sigalet did his best.
"He's extremely square to the puck, finding so many pucks through traffic and not allowing a lot of great rebounds" Paluch said of Sigalet. "He gave us every opportunity this weekend to win games. When it came down the stretch he played very well."
"Our whole team stepped up and killed off some big penalties," said Sigalet. As for seeing 23 shots in the third period when the game was on the line, Sigalet didn't seem to mind. "I think it's pretty exciting. It's gets the crowd into it, the guys into it. The guys did a good job of clearing the puck out and getting it out of the zone."
"I think we were better mentally prepared than we were last night," said Minnabarriet. "Our captains stepped up in the lockerroom, made sure everyone was ready, and I think it showed."
The win gave the Falcons a 5-5-3 record at home vs. a 1-7-3 mark on the road. Also, the Saturday win was BGSU's first of the season in 11 tries (1-5-5).
BGSU improves to 6-12-6 overall and 4-9-3 in the CCHA. MSU drops to 13-12-1 overall and 9-6-1 in the league. The Falcons take to the road next weekend when they travel to Fairbanks, Alaska to take on the University of Alaska-Fairbanks (Jan. 23-24).
