Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Look To Get Back On Track, Host Lake Superior
October 31, 2006 | Ice Hockey
Oct. 31, 2006
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -
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The Bowling Green State University hockey team will play host to Lake Superior State this weekend (Nov. 3-4) in hopes of getting back to their winning ways. The Falcons, who are 2-3-1 overall, are also in search of their first Central Collegiate Hockey Association win, after dropping a pair of road contests versus Miami last weekend. Both contests with the Lakers will begin at 7:05 p.m.
Series With The Lakers
BGSU holds a 67-57-7 (.542) lead all-time with the Lakers. Last season LSSU swept the Falcons in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., by scores of 6-1 and 4-2. Bowling Green head coach Scott Paluch is 3-5-2 all-time versus the Lakers, with two 0-0 ties entering his fifth season with the Falcons. In four games inside the Ice Arena BGSU holds a 2-1-1 advantage under Paluch.
Recap of the Past Weekend
BGSU 3 at #7 Miami 4
BGSU 0 at #7 Miami 3
Last Friday the Falcons fell 4-3 to #7 Miami while being out-shot 45-30 on the night. In the loss freshman Tomas Petruska recorded two points (1g, 1a), while fellow classmate Eddie Neville posted a career-high 41 saves on the night. The following night the Falcons were shutout for the first time since Dec. 2, 2005 in a 3-0 loss to Michigan State, despite out-shooting the RedHawks 34-23. Sophomore Jimmy Spratt had 20 saves in the loss. For the weekend Miami was 3-for-6 on the power play, while the Orange and Brown went 0-for-5.
Falcons In October
BGSU completed their first month of the season with a 2-3-1, 0-2-0 record. The Falcons were led offensively by Jonathan Matsumoto (3-5--8), Derek Whitmore (6-1--7), Tomas Petruska (2-3--5), Michael Hodgson (0-5--5), Todd McIlrath (1-2--3) and Brandon Svendsen (0-3--3). Matsumoto also finished the month with a team-best +4 ratings, while Kyle Page (+3) and Hodgson (+2) were not far behind. Eddie Neville finished his first month as a Falcon with a 2.66 gaa and a .915 save percentage, while Jimmy Spratt posted a 3.91 gaa and an .862 save percentage.
The Falcons averaged 2.5 goals per game, while surrendering 3.33. BGSU averaged 32.5 shots per games, 2.3 shots better then their competitors, which averaged 30.2 per game. The Falcons went 4-for-37 (.108) on the power play, while Falcon penalty kill was 24-of-29 (.828). On the power play the Falcons recorded 50 shots in October, while surrendering just 27.
Minor Penalty
Last season the Falcons averaged 19.1 penalty minutes and 8.5 penalties per game. This season the Falcons have nearly cut that in half, averaging just 10.3 penalty minutes and 5.2 penalties per game, both which rank lowest in the country. This season, the most the Falcons have been whistled for is seven penalties and just 14 minutes per game. Last season, in 38 games, the Falcons surpassed the seven penalties and 14 minute mark 22 times.
Freshman Impact
BGSU welcomed 13 new players to the 2006-07 squad and nine of them have already seen action. Todd McIlrath (1g, 2a), Tomas Petruska (2g, 3a), Tim Maxwell (0g, 2a), Kai Kantola (1g, 0a), Kyle Page (0g, 2a) and James Perkin (0g, 1a) have all recorded points this season. Tommy Dee (3 games) along with goaltenders Eddie Neville (1-1-1, 2.66, .915) and Phil Greer have also dressed.
Falcons In The National Rankings
• Derek Whitmore (6-1--7) ranks fifth in the country with 1.00 goals/game and is T-seventh in goals scored (6).
• Jonathan Matsumoto (3-5--8) ranks 48th in the nation with 1.33 points/game.
• Michael Hodgson (0-5--5) is 31st among defenseman with .83 points/game among defenseman.
• Tomas Petruska (2-3--5) ranks 30th among rookies with .83 points/game.
• Freshman Eddie Neville is 28th in goals against average (2.66) and 20th in save percentage (.915).
Whitmore Opens 06-07 With A Bang
Junior Derek Whitmore opened the 06-07 campaign scoring a goal in each of his first five games, including a pair in a 5-5 tie with Alabama-Huntsville. The Rochester, New York native recorded his sixth goal of 2005-06 on Dec. 30, 2005 (15th game) and his sixth goal of the 2004-05 season came on Dec. 11, 2004 (15th game).
Matsumoto Follows 2005-06 Campaign
Junior Jonathan Matsumoto leads the team with eight points (3g, 5a) in six game this year, and in fact dating back to last season the Orleans, Ont. native has scored 56 points (23g, 33a) in just 42 games. In that span the junior has scored at least one point in 33 of those 42 games and has 18 multiple point games.
Neville Shows His Stuff
Freshman Eddie Neville, in his first three games as a Falcon, has already seen 180:24 minutes, despite starting just two games. Neville saw his first career action in relief of Jimmy Spratt, allowing just two goals in 61:14 minutes of action. He got his first career start in a 4-2 win over Providence College, recording 22 saves. He was more than tested in his next start, recording 41 saves in a 4-3 loss to #7 Miami. Those 41 saves are the second-most in the CCHA this year. Neville ranks second in the nation among freshman netminders in both gaa (2.66), trailing only Holy Cross' Ian Dams (2.65) and save percentage (.915), behind only Canisius' Andrew Loewen (.927).
