Bowling Green State University
OHIO STATE
Falcons Complete Sweep Of #16 Buckeyes With 2-0 Win
January 07, 2006 | Ice Hockey
Jan. 7, 2006
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - It had been nearly seven years, but with a 2-0 win Saturday night inside the Ice Arena, the Bowling Green State University Falcons hockey team completed a sweep over Ohio State for the first time since March of 1999.
The win also extended the Falcons win streak to six straight games. The last time that happened came back during the 1994-95 campaign when the Falcons won six straight from Feb. 24 through March 18. As a side note, the Falcons began that six game-win streak with a pair of wins over these same Buckeyes.
"It was exactly what we expected," said head coach Scott Paluch. "We expected Ohio State to come out extremely hard and physical and try to get their game going. Our guys were able to match that. It turned into a real fun hockey game."
"It was hard to image that one goal was going to hold up for that long. Give credit to all our guys. We always talk about the little things and I thought we won enough puck battles to make the plays. I am just real proud of our guys to hold up for six period against a real good hockey team."
BGSU (10-11-1) got on the scoreboard early to start the game with the help of a 5-on-3 power-play opportunity. Sophomore Michael Hodgson passed the puck down low to senior Mike Falk, who slid the puck across the goal crease right onto the stick of senior Brett Pilkington. With OSU's goaltender completely turned around, Pilkington deflected the pass into the net for a 1-0 advantage.
That early goal would be all the Falcons would need for the contest. Stellar defensive play, as well as a few key saves by senior Jon Horrell gave the Falcons their second shutout in three games.
For the night Horrell stopped all 23 OSU shots for the Falcons first shutout over Ohio State since March 6, 1999, and combined with the 38-of-40 save performance last night, Horrell finished the two-game series with the Buckeyes with a 1.00 gaa and a .968 save percentage.
Sophomore Derek Whitmore added an empty-net goal with just 22 seconds remaining to secure the Falcon victory. The forward now has seven goals in his last 10 games.
For the game BGSU was 1-for-8 on the power play (seven shots), while OSU was 0-for-7 (three shots).
Up next for the Falcons is a home-and home series with Western Michigan (Jan. 13-14) as well as a Monday (Jan. 16) home game with Ferris State.
Notes during the six-game win streak.
• The Falcons have beat four ranked opponents including #14 St. Lawrence, #12 Colgate and two wins over #16 Ohio State.
• Jon Horrell is 6-0-0 with a 1.52 gaa and a .954 save percentage. He has stopped 188-of-197 shots faced.
• The Falcons are averaging 3.5 goals per game, while surrendering only 1.7 a game.
• The BGSU power play is 9-for-34 (.265), while the opposition is only 3-for-30 (.100) in that same span.
Notes For the Weekend Versus OSU:
• BGSU was 2-for-13 on the power play, while holding OSU scoreless with the man advantage on 13 tries.
• Horrell was 2-0-0 with a 1.00 gaa and a .968 save percentage.
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