Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Alabama Huntsville
Falcons, Chargers Skate To 5-5 Tie
October 15, 2006 | Ice Hockey
Oct. 15, 2006
Final Stats | Quotes
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University hockey team spotted the visiting Chargers of Alabama-Huntsville a 3-0 lead just 3:29 into the first period, but was able to walk away with a 5-5 tie after freshman Todd McIlrath scored with just 53 seconds remaining in regulation.
"It was clearly an interesting game that's for sure," said head coach Scott Paluch. "It wasn't a great way to start down 3-0, but I really liked the way we were able to get the game back. When you are a minute away from a really tough loss, but to be able to get that goal, that can be a real positive."
As stated before UAH picked up three goals in the first 3:29 of the contest behind tallies from Dominik Rozman, Brett McConnachie and Josh Murray to put the Falcons in an early deficit.
The Falcons got the score to 3-1 after Derek Whitmore picked up the first of his two goals on the day. While on the power play senior captain Michael Hodgson slid the puck to Mike Nesdill. Nesdill fired a shot from the point and Whitmore picked up the rebound for his second goal of the year at the 5:43 mark of the first.
Whitmore continued to pull the Falcons closer with a spectacular goal late in the first period. Nesdill found a streaking Whitmore at center ice, who skated in on UAH's goaltender Jordan Erickson, with a Charger defender on his back. The Rochester, New York native took a shot between the circles that Erickson denied, but as Whitmore was falling to the ground he was able to swing at the puck and slide it into the back of the net.
BGSU (1-0-1) pulled even with a power-play goal by Jonathan Matsumoto at the 7:19 mark of the second. Tim Maxwell and Brandon Svendsen assisted on the goal. The Orleans, Ont. native skated around several Alabama-Huntsville defenders and fired a wrister past the blocker of Erickson at the 7:19 mark of the second period.
The Orange and Brown took their first lead of the contest with a power-play goal by freshman Kai Kantola, the first of his collegiate career. Svendsen fired a shot from the point that Kantola was able to redirect between the legs of Erickson for a 4-3 advantage for the final tally of the second period.
Things looked bleak for BGSU after the Chargers recorded two goals in 54 seconds late in the third to take a 5-4 lead, but while on the power play, as well as the goaltender pulled for the extra attacker, McIlrath's late heroics saved the day for the Falcons for their fourth power-play goal of the day.
For the day BGSU was 4-for-13 on the power play, while UAH was held scoreless on seven tries. Chargers goaltender Erickson recorded 40 saves in the tie, while freshman Eddie Neville stopped 22-of-24 shots in relief of Jimmy Spratt.
Up next for the Falcons is a trip to the Northwest for a contest with Providence (Oct. 20, 7:05 p.m.) and Boston College (Oct. 21, 7:05 p.m.).
