Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Michigan
Falcons Upset #6 Michigan, 5-2, Behind Sellout Crowd
January 21, 2006 | Ice Hockey
Jan. 21, 2006
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The BGSU Ice Arena was a happening place Saturday night, as 4,989 fans saw the hockey team upset #6 Michigan Saturday night, 5-2. The 12th largest crowd in BGSU history saw the Falcons claim their first win over the Wolverines since Jan. 25, 2002.
"I am tremendously pleased with what our guys did tonight," said head coach Scott Paluch. "It was just a real good feeling right from the start of the game."
"I just feel real good for our players, especially the seniors. It is not something that we talk a lot about, but you can sense as the game is winding down what it means to everybody."
The Falcons opened the scoring just 3:51 into the first as junior James Unger skated in all alone on UM goaltender Noah Ruden. With assists from senior Don Morrison and sophomore Derek Whitmore, Unger was able to roof the puck into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
Senior Jon Horrell stood on his head for the first period, stopping at 15 Michigan shots, allowing the Unger goal to be the lone goal of the first.
BGSU (12-14-1, 8-11-1 CCHA) extended their lead to 2-0 with their second even-strength goal of the night. Senior Brett Pilkington got alone between the circles and fired a shot. Sophomore Jon Erickson grabbed the rebound and fed it back to Pilkington, who spotted Michael Hodgson alone at the point. Hodgson fired a shot through traffic for the Falcons second goal of the night.
The offensive barrage continued, this time with the man advantage. Pilkington dumped the puck in while Whitmore chased. The sophomore was first to get there and fired it in on Ruden. The impossible angle seemed to catch the senior off-guard as the puck deflected off of him and into the net.
Michigan (14-9-1, 9-6-1 CCHA) finally got on the scoreboard after Chad Kolarik recorded a power-play goal with just-under two minutes remaining in the second.
The third and final period was very one-sided as the Falcons out-shot UM 21-6. In fact, the Wolverines did not even record a shot for the first nine minutes of the third period.
"That was an unbelievable third period," said Paluch. "We might be protecting a lead but we went after it and got some unbelievable chances to extend that lead."
Junior Rich Meloche recorded his fifth goal of the season with the help of Pilkington once again. While on the power play, Pilkington fired a shot in on Ruden. With Meloche parked atop the crease he was able to deflect the puck low, between Ruden's legs.
Just two minutes later Whitmore extended the lead to 5-1 after he and Pilkington skated in on the UM cage. Pilkington led Whitmore perfectly, allowing Whitmore to deflect the puck into the net for the Falcons final goal.
Michigan added a late goal to push the final to 5-2, but the Falcons would have their day.
The win gives coach Paluch his first win over the Wolverines, much like he did earlier this year in the win over Ohio State.
On the night Derek Whitmore picked up three points (2g, 1a), while Brett Pilkington had a career-high four assists in the win.
For the night Horrell stopped 31-of-33 shots, while Ruden turned-aside 31-of-36. Freshman Billy Sauer came in late in the third and stopped all 13 shots he faced.
BGSU was 3-for-6 on the power play, while Michigan was 2-for-8.
Up next for the Orange and Brown is a trip up north to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan for a pair of contests with Lake Superior (Jan. 27-28). Both contests are set for 7:05 p.m.
