Falcons Answer Early Deficit with Four-Straight Goals, Win 4-1

Friday, February 18

Bowling Green, Ohio

7:05 PM

Bowling Green State University

WESTERN MICHIGAN

February 18, 2005 | Ice Hockey

Feb. 18, 2005

Final Stats

Bowling Green, Ohio - Bowling Green rattled off four-unanswered goals following an early Western Michigan lead, knocking off the Broncos on Friday night, 4-1. BGSU recorded a season-high 42 shots on goal, including 15 in the third period, while holding WMU to just 28 shots.

WMU's Kevin Labatte got the visitors on the board first at 7:31 of the first period, his fourth of the season. BGSU responded with a power-play goal on its first man advantage thanks to sophomore James Unger, his 10th of the season, at 14:53 of the first period. Ryan Minnabarriet and Michael Hodgson assisted. BGSU held a 13-6 shot advantage in the first period.

In the second period, senior Steve Brudzewski gave the Falcons the lead for good at 3:30 with an assist from freshman John Mazzei. Freshman Alex Foster gave the home team a 3-1 lead at 9:53 with an assist from Mike Nesdill. BGSU had a 14-9 shot advantage in the period.

A power-play goal by freshman Jonathan Matsumoto at 3:52 of the third period made it a 4-1 Falcon lead. Foster and Mike Falk assisted.

At 13:43 of the third period, Unger was called for a major penalty for checking from behind and a game misconduct, giving WMU a five-minute power play. BGSU responded well, though.

"It was great to get a power-play goal right off the bat, especially where we were last week with our special teams," said BGSU Coach Scott Paluch. "I was happy with our penalty kill tonight. Especially the real big kill at the end of the game. It was a real big kill against the second-best power play in our league. For us to go the five minutes and hold them off was big."

BGSU held a 42-28 shot advantage in the game and was 2-for-7 on the power play. WMU was held to 0-for-5. Jordan Sigalet stopped 27 of 28 shots faced while WMU's Daniel Bellissimo stopped 38 shots.

BGSU improved to 14-11-4 overall and 11-9-3 in the CCHA. WMU drops to 11-16-2 overall and 6-15-2 in the league. The two teams end the weekend series at the BGSU Ice Arena on Saturday, Feb. 19, at 7:05 p.m.

BGSU Post-Game Notes...
 It was the first time in nearly a year that BGSU had 40-plus shots on net (43 vs. Northern Michigan on Feb. 28, 2004, 2-2 tie).

 Friday's win was just the second this year when the opponent scores first (2-8-4).

 FR Jonathan Matsumoto improved his point streak and goal streak to a career-best four games with 5-1--6 in his last four games. Linemate Alex Foster improved his point streak to a career-best four games, as well (2-4--6) and Mike Falk moved his point streak to four games (1-5--6), also.

FR defenseman Mike Nesdill has an assist in each of his last two games.

SR Jordan Sigalet lowered his goals-against-average to 2.66 and raised his save pct. to .923. Sigalet has held 14 opponents to two goals or less this year and 10 opponents to one goal or less in 26 appearances.