Bowling Green State University
Ohio State
#12 Ohio State Takes Game One, 3-2
March 12, 2004 | Ice Hockey
March 12, 2004
Columbus, Ohio - Bowling Green dropped game one of a best-of-three series to #12-ranked Ohio State on Friday night, 3-2, at Value City Arena. The series is the first round of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association tournament.
Two BGSU goals within a 1:11 time frame early in the third period cut a 3-0 deficit to 3-2 for the Falcons, but they were not able to bury the third and tying goal.
"We gave up too many second chances in the first and second periods," said BGSU coach Scott Paluch. "But I liked the way our guys were playing for two periods and I thought if we could just give ourselves a chance, get one early in the third, we would give ourselves an opportunity."
That opportunity came to fruition at 3:51 of the third period with a shot by senior Mark Wires from the top of the left circle that snaked its way through several players and went five-hole past OSU goalie Mike Betz. Brett Pilkington and Kevin Bieksa picked up assists on the play. It was Wires' team-leading 11th goal of the season.
Then, sophomore Ryan Barnett tipped a blast by senior Brian Escobedo past Betz just over one minute later for his third goal of the season and a one-goal deficit, 3-2. Alex Rogosheske also earned an assist after winning the faceoff back to Escobedo.
However, BGSU could not find the third goal, including over the final 1:15 with an empty net.
"It was a hard-fought game, right down to the end," said Sigalet. "It's definitely a playoff-style of game tonight. The guys didn't give up. We had our chances to put it into overtime, but we couldn't bury the puck.
"It was big to win that third period because we kind of got them back on their heels and it's going to send a message for the start of tomorrow night's game."
OSU gained a 1-0 lead midway through the first period when Matt Beaudoin scored his third goal of the season at 9:04, with assists from Dave Steckel and Doug Andress. The Buckeyes built upon their lead with just 40 seconds remaining in the first period when Paul Caponigri scored his 15th goal of the season for a 2-0 OSU advantage. The Buckeyes held a 15-10 edge in the opening period, despite the Falcons opening with a 8-1 advantage in the opening 10 minutes of the game.
The Buckeyes pushed their lead to 3-0 at 4:04 of the second period with a goal by Bryce Anderson, his fifth of the season. Steckel and Sean Collins assisted.
BGSU committed just one penalty in the game, a season-low, while OSU had three penalties called. Neither team capitalized on the power play.
"We're a better team when we can play all four lines, play all six defensemen, and roll right through," said Paluch. And when we're not taking penalties we're able to do that."
OSU held a 40-30 shot advantage for the game. Sigalet stopped 37 of those shots while Betz had 28 saves.
Ohio State improves to 22-15-0 overall while BGSU drops to 11-17-9 overall. The teams play game two of the best-of-three series Saturday night at Value City Arena beginning at 7:05 p.m. If a third game is needed on Sunday, that game will also be played at 7:05 p.m.
BGSU NOTES...
JR Jordan Sigalet broke BGSU's single-season record for saves in a season with his 37 saves vs. the Buckeyes. The previous record was 1,087 set by Tyler Masters during the 2000-01 season (38 games). Sigalet now has 1,100 in 36 games, tops in the nation.
SR Kevin Bieksa's assist on Friday improved his current point streak to three games (0-4--4) and also gave him his team-leading seven postseason point (3-4--7) in nine career games.
BGSU's one penalty vs. OSU tied a season-low for the Falcons. The other time came Nov. 25 at Western Michigan, a 4-3 overtime loss for the Falcons.
SO Ryan Barnett picked up his second-career postseason goal in three postseason games with his third goal of the season last night vs. OSU.
