Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Host Nebraska-Omaha This Weekend
November 01, 2005 | Ice Hockey
Nov. 1, 2005
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University hockey team will be looking for win number one on the year as they play host to Nebraska-Omaha this weekend (Nov. 4-5). Both contests will begin at 7:05 p.m. in the BGSU Ice Arena.
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When You Think You Have Seen It All
Last Thursday BGSU and Ferris State skated to a 0-0 tie after the first period in the BGSU Ice Arena. During the first intermission a pipe was struck while drilling holes for the moorings. With coolant continuing to come up through the ice, and no end in sight (roughly a one hour delay), the game was postponed until a later date. At this time a decision has not been made on when the game will be made up, but when it does, the score will be 0-0 entering the second period with Ferris on a power play.
The Series With UNO
Nebraska-Omaha owns a 9-6-2 overall series record over the Falcons. Last year the two teams split a two game series in Omaha, Nebraska. The Mavericks captured a 4-2 victory the first night, with BGSU countering with a 6-4 victory the following night.
The Ups-And-Downs Of Falcon Special Teams
The Bowling Green penalty kill has been stellar as of late, holding their opponents 1-for-12 in the last two contests. For the season they have surrendered only five power-play goals on 35 attempts (.891). As good as the penalty kill has been, the power play has struggled as of late. Bowling Green had nine power-play goals in their first three contests (9-of-33), but has not recorded a goal with the man advantage in their last 16 opportunities.
Shoot The Puck
In three of the five games this season BGSU has out shot their opponent. They held a 47-23 advantage to open the season with Merrimack. They also out shot #4 Boston College 34-33 and Ferris State 28-24 last week.
Falcon Offensive Woes
Through five games the Orange and Brown offense has recorded only 13 goals, or 2.60 goals/game. In four of their five contests this season they have recorded two or fewer goals, with their only outburst coming in a 9-6 loss to Boston College. If you remove the six goals scored versus the Eagles, BGSU is averaging 1.75 goals/game.
Home Cooking
Starting this weekend Bowling Green will play eight of their next 12 games at home. They host a pair with UNO, followed by two games with Northern Michigan (Nov. 18-19), as well as one game a piece with Miami and Michigan State. They finish the home stand with a pair of non-conference games versus Clarkson (Dec. 9) and St. Lawrence (Dec. 10).
Horrell Continues Strong Play
Goaltending was a big question mark entering the season with the departure of All-American Jordan Sigalet. Senior Jon Horrell has answered any and all questions. This season the Beckenham, England native has a 2.80 goals-against average as well as a .901 save percentage.
Spread The Wealth
Already this season BGSU has had 15 different players record points. They are led by sophomore Jonathan Matsumoto (4-4--8), Alex Foster (1-5--6), Mike Falk (3-0--3), junior Rich Meloche (1-2--3) and freshman Kevin Schmidt (1-2--3). Four other Falcons have two points in the first four games of the year.
Matsumoto, Foster and Falk Carry The Load
In the opening five games of the 2005-06 season the line combination of sophomores Jonathan Matsumoto and Alex Foster, combined with senior Mike Falk have tallied a total of eight goals, nine assists and 17 points. This trio has accounted for 61.5% of the team's goals (8-13), 37% on the team's assists (9-24) and 44% of the team's total points (16-36).
Matsumoto Has Fast Start To Young Season
Jonathan Matsumoto recorded his first career hat trick last Saturday night (Oct. 15) versus Boston College, and has eight points (4g, 4a) in the first five games of the season. On his hat trick he recorded three power-play goals. In his brief Falcon career Matsumoto has recorded 22 goals (13 power play), 18 assists and 40 points in 41 career games. He just recently had an eight game point streak snapped, recording seven goals and five assists in that span. Matsumoto ranks fifth in the CCHA, and 25th nationally with those eight points. He also ranks fourth in the country with .80 power-play goals per game, and ninth in the country with four goals. He leads the team in goals scored (4), power play goals (4), points (8) and shots (20) this season. He is second on the team with four assists and shooting percentage (.200).
Falcon Power Play
The Falcon special teams have had a major impact early in the season. BGSU has scored 13 goals on the season, with nine of them coming on the power play in 49 attempts. The team is led by Matsumoto (4), while James Unger, Kevin Schmidt, Don Morrison, Mike Falk and Derek Whitmore have also score PP goals this season. In terms of points the Falcons have scored 24 of 37 points this season on the PP. Matsumoto (6) and Alex Foster (4) lead the team point wise on the PP. The Falcons ranked 15th nationally and fourth in the CCHA on the power play (19.1%).
Falcon Penalty Kill
While facing some of the toughest competition in the country early this season the Falcon penalty kill has played solid defense. On the year they have killed 30-of-35 opposing power-play opportunities, holding #4 Boston College 2-for-9 and #2/3 Ohio State 3-for-14 with the man advantage. They also held Merrimack 0-for-6 to open the season, and FSU 0-for-4 in their home opener. They ranked 21st in the country and fifth in the CCHA on the PK (85.7%).
So Close...
Despite the 0-4-1 record the Falcons were either leading or tied for the lead in three-of-five games this season. They had a 2-1 advantage late in the third period versus Merrimack. They were tied 6-6 early in the third versus #4 Boston College, and had a 2-1 lead five minutes into the third at Ohio State.
