Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Michigan
Third-Ranked Michigan Defeats Falcons, 7-3
February 20, 2004 | Ice Hockey
Feb. 20, 2004
Ann Arbor, Mich. - Third-ranked Michigan netted power-play goals on its first two chances and went on to post a 7-3 victory over visiting Bowling Green Friday night at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines netted two goals in the first period, three goals in the second period and two goals in the final period.
UM was up 2-0 after 10 minutes had gone by in the game thanks to PPGs by Jeff Tambellini (6:53) and T.J. Hensick (9:18). The Wolverines had 18 shot attempts in the first period.
"Too many penalties and too many four-on-fours to be successful in this building against this good of team," said BGSU Coach Scott Paluch. "They moved the puck really well and kept us on our heals. When you're trying to kill the power play its hard to get your team going."
Defenseman Jon Sitko brought the Falcons to within one with his first career goal at 1:24 of the second period. Referee Mark Wilkins had just called a penalty on UM and as the puck drifted out to the top of the left circle, Sitko let go a blast that UM goalie Al Montoya never saw for a 2-1 BGSU deficit. Brett Pilkington and Mark Wires assisted on the goal.
UM then responded with three unanswered goals from 9:19 of the second period to 15:02 of the second period to build its lead up to 5-1. Senior Brian Escobedo stopped the onslaught with his fourth goal of the season at 17:45 of the second period with a knuckler wrister that found its way past Montoya. Mike Falk assisted on the goal to make it a 5-2 UM lead.
Brandon Kaleniecki scored his second goal of the game at 1:00 of the third period to build the Wolverine lead back up to four goals. However, Escobedo then netted his second goal of the game when two Wolverines found themselves literally in the net with Montoya after a scrum at the top of the crease. Escobedo fired a slapshot from the left circle that found its way into the back of the net and made it a 6-3 game. Ryan Minnabarriet and Bryan Dobek were credited with assists.
Following the goal, Montoya was whistled for a 10-minute misconduct for arguing with the referee and backup goalie Noah Ruden was called into duty. Ruden played the remainder of the game for UM and ended with 10 saves on 10 shots faced.
Milan Gajic scored the seventh and final goal of the game at 6:52 of the third period.
UM held a 43-29 shot advantage for the game. BGSU was whistled for 17 penalties (50 PIM) and UM for 14 (44 PIM). The Wolverines finished 3-for-8 on the power play while BGSU was 0-for-5. Jordan Sigalet ended with 36 saves while Montoya had 16 stops.
UM improves to 22-8-1 overall and 17-5-1 in the CCHA. BGSU drops to 9-15-8 overall and 7-12-5 in the league.
The two teams conclude their series Saturday night at Yost Ice Arena with faceoff scheduled for 7:35 p.m.
