Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
MICHIGAN STATE
#13 Spartans Get Best Of Falcons, 5-3
February 23, 2007 | Ice Hockey
Feb. 23, 2007
Final Stats | Quotes
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University hockey team allowed three unanswered goals to the #13 Michigan State Spartans, en route to a 5-3 loss inside the BGSU Ice Arena. Derek Whitmore matched a career-high with two goals in the loss.
"This was a game that had a lot of momentum swings in it," said BGSU head coach Scott Paluch. "A lot of ebb and flow, and I thought we came out and controlled the play until they took advantage of a mistake. Give credit to Michigan State, they made plays that at key times that take momentum from us when I thought we had it going at times."
Playing in their final home game of the season the Falcons came out flying, scoring a goal just 49 seconds into the action. Russ Sinkewich attempted a wrap-around play, but MSU's Jeff Lerg denied the sophomore defenseman. With the rebound lying just inches outside the crease, junior Derek Whitmore slammed home the rebound for a 1-0 BGSU lead.
MSU added two goals in the next five minutes to take a 2-1 lead after one period of play.
Whitmore continued to show the offensive firepower, grabbing a rebound off the shot of Jonathan Matsumoto at the 3:43 mark of the second period. Freshman Kyle Page also assisted on the game-tying goal.
Just three minutes later John Mazzei scored his second goal of the season when he deflected a James Unger shot over the left shoulder of Lerg to give the Falcons a 3-2 lead at 6:12 of the middle period. Unger, along with Jeremy Bronson were playing in their final game inside the BGSU Ice Arena.
Michigan State would score three goals in the final 34 minutes to escape with a 5-3 win.
On the night MSU held a 28-25 shot advantage and went 1-for-6 with the man advantage. BGSU was held scoreless on five attempts.
Jimmy Spratt made 23 saves, while Jeff Lerg had 22.
These same two teams will do it again tomorrow night, but this time the game will be held in East Lansing, Michigan, inside Munn Ice Arena. Opening face off is set for 6:30.
