Bowling Green State University Athletics
Saturday, January 2
Minneapolis, Minn.
7:00 PM
Bowling Green State University
at
Minnesota
Photo by: Todd Pavlack / BGSUHockey.com
The Dodge Holiday Classic Awaits! Falcons Pack for Minnesota
December 29, 2009 | Ice Hockey
Bowling Green State University Falcons
2-14-2, 2-10-2-2
vs.
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers
8-9-1, 6-7-1
Jan. 2, 2010 - 8:07 p.m. EST
Dodge Holiday Classic
Mariucci Ice Arena (Minneapolis, Minn.)
BGSU Media Notes
CCHA Week 13 Notes
THIS WEEK
The Falcons received extra rest to freshen their legs with the holiday break to prepare for the Dodge Holiday Classic being held in Minneapolis, Minn. at the Mariucci Ice Arena. The holiday tournament will open the 2010 session of the season and will span over two days from Saturday, Jan. 2 to Sunday, Jan. 3. Bowling Green will begin the tournament with an 8 p.m. matchup on Saturday against the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. On Sunday, the Falcons will play either Clarkson or Northern Michigan at 5 p.m.
MEDIA COVERAGE
This weekend's hockey games can be heard as scheduled on WBGU-FM with Everett Fitzhugh bringing you the live action, shot-for-shot. The pregame show will air 30 minutes prior to the opening face-off. Both broadcasts can be heard globally on both www.bgsufalcons.com.
Live stats for all BGSU home games are available on the BGSU web site - www.bgsufalcons.com - via Live Scoring. The stats can be accessed from the schedule page in the hockey section of the web site by clicking on the “details” icon on the right hand side of the page, then by clicking “live scoring”.
LAST TIME OUT
The last time the Falcons took the ice on Dec. 11 and 12 the No. 13/14 Michigan State Spartans took away victories in both games, completing the sweep during the home-and-home series. Friday night (Dec. 11) the Falcons and the Spartans battled to the end at the BGSU Ice Arena as 60:00 was not enough to determine a winner as the teams took a 2-2 tie into overtime. Bowling Green scored the first two goals of the contest but allowed two third period goals to the Spartans tying the game. Thirty-five seconds into the overtime, MSU's Torey Krug scored his first collegiate goal to win the game on the Spartan's only shot on goal in the extra frame.
Saturday night the Spartans came out with hard hits and a strong power play when on a five-on-three the Spartans took the lead with a power-play goal in the last minute of the first period. The Falcons answered with a power-play goal of their own scored by senior Tomas Petruska, but MSU junior Corey Tropp ran a hat trick on Bowling Green scoring the deciding goal as well as the last three of the contest on the way to a 4-1 Spartan win in East Lansing, Mich.
HISTORY 101: The BG - Minnesota Relationship
The first time BGSU and Minnesota met was on March 16, 1979 in the NCAA Quarterfinal game, which the Gophers won by a score of 6-3.
* That game would be the only time BG would lose by more than one goal. *
The next two matchups between the Falcons and the Gophers would be in the acclaimed Mariucci Classic in 1991 and 1995. Bowling Green lost both games by counts of 6-5 (in overtime) and 3-2 to Minnesota.
This is the fourth time Bowling Green has been invited to Minneapolis, Minn. for the holiday tournament, now renamed the Dodge Holiday Classic. The last time Bowling Green was a part of 'The Classic' was in 2002, but the Falcons avoided a game with Minnesota by playing Boston College and Yale.
Bowling Green is a combined 2-4 in six games played at the Dodge Holiday Classic with victories over Boston College (5-3, 10/21/91) New Hampshire (3-2, Dec. 29, 1995). In 2002, BG lost both games they played to Boston College (6-5) and Yale (5-1).
Bowling Green and Minnesota have developed a miniature rivalry between their main three sports. Falcon and Gopher football have met in back-to-back years in 2007 and 2008. In 2007, Bowling Green held off the Gophers in a 32-31 overtime victory at the Metrodome on a Tyler Sheehan two-point conversion pass to 2009 Biletnikoff Award finalist Freddie Barnes for the win. In 2008, Minnesota returned the favor in Bowling Green with a 42-17 win. The BGSU basketball team last year traveled to the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” for the NABC Classic where the Falcons fell to the Gophers 68-61. It was the only game the Falcon ballers lost in the three-game tournament. Falcon hockey is 0-3 all-time versus Minnesota, but have lost by one goal in each of their last two meetings, once in overtime.
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN GOPHERS (8-9-1, 6-7-1)
Recent Action: The Golden Gophers are riding into the Mariucci Classic on a three-game winning streak and having won four of their last five games dating back to Nov. 28. The Gophers are no strangers to CCHA competition as they split a series with in-state rivals Michigan (L, 6-0) and Michigan State (W, 2-1) while touring through the Great Lake State. After splitting a conference series with Minnesota State, Minnesota swept Michigan Tech in two games by scores of 3-2 in both contests.
Players to Watch: Tony Lucia (son of head coach Don Lucia) stands as the team's leading point-scorer with 14 (4-10) on the season and is one of only four players in double digit points. He also leads the team in short-handed goals (2) and assists (10). After scoring twice in the the G opher's first game against the MTU Huskies (Dec. 11), Mike Hoeffel has brought his point total to 12 while also leading the squad in goals scored (8). Patrick White has been contributing both in scoring and assisting with Gopher goals with five scores and five helpers on the season. White scored a goal and an assist in the series opener with MTU (Dec. 11). Jordan Schroeder is the final Minnesota player scoring in double digits thus far in 2009-10 (4-8--12). Schroeder played the role of set up man with two helpers versus MTU between Dec. 11-12... former Falcon Jacob Cepis will also become eligible to play after sitting out of hockey a full calendar year when Minn. plays BGSU on Jan 2. In 2007-08, Cepis scored 15 goals and 16 assists (31 points) as a freshman.
Statistically Speaking: The Gophers have been battling around a .500 winning percentage all season long, but when they lose, its not pretty. Of their nine loses this season, four have been by shut out at the hands of Michigan, North Dakota and No. 2 Denver University. They have only lost by one goal twice all season long, both times to Minnesota Duluth. The remaining three loses have been by two or more goals...Minnesota has played four games between three opponents that the Falcons have also played this year (Minnesota State, Michigan, Michigan State). In those games, the Gophers are 2-2-0 but were outscored 10-9 in that time...Minnesota has only played in two overtime games and have a 0-1-1 record in those games...The Gophers have played seven games against four ranked team this season. Minnesota holds a 2-4-1 record against ranked competition with wins against then No. 7 Bemidji State (4-1, Nov. 14) and then No. 7 Michigan State (2-1, Nov. 28).
ALL EYES ON BG!
As we approach the mid-way point of the 2009-10 season, multiple Falcons can be found near the top of several CCHA and Division I hockey statistical categories.
Jordan Samuels-Thomas - Fr. - Foward - Windsor, Conn.
T-13th in conference point scoring (6-6-12)
Third in conference point scoring by a freshman (6-6-12)
Tied-third in overall point scoring by a freshman (6-9--15)
T-12th nationally in freshman points per game (0.83)
Nick Eno - Jr. - Goaltender - Howell, Mich.
Eight in overall saves (329)
Fifth in total conference saves (279) and conference saves per game (25.4)
Eighth in saves per game with more than five games played (25.7)
Tomas Petruska - Sr. - Forward - Petrov, Slovakia
Tied-sixth in conference assist scoring (9)
Kyle Page - Sr. - Defenseman - Wixom, Mich.
Tied-eighth in conference point scoring by a defenseman (1-6--7)
Tied-11th in overall scoring by a defenseman (2-7--9)
ONE-ON-ONE AND DONE
After the CCHA implemented the shootout rule last season, the Falcons did not have an opportunity to flash their talents between the posts in one-on-one chances with their opponents. In 2009-10, BG has already had two games decided by a shootout and have won both of those by counts of 1-0. Falcon goaltenders Nick Eno and Andrew Hammond have each had the chance to participate in a shootout this season and have remained perfect, both saving all three shots against them. Each shootout was performed on the road (Oct. 30 at UNO and Nov. 28 at Notre Dame) after the Falcons gave up third period goals with a one score lead.
HOME 'D'
When playing at home the Falcons appear to keep their opponents 'in-check' allowing fewer shots per game at the BGSU Ice Arena than when they play on the road. The Falcons have allowed 30.1 shots a game in seven true home contests versus 36.6 shots per game in eleven games away from home. On the penalty kill, Bowling Green has allowed twice as many power-play goals on the road (16) as they have in home games (8). Their lone short-handed goal they have allowed versus Ferris State this year was also away from Bowling Green.
ONE-ON-ONE AND DONE
After the CCHA implemented the shootout rule last season, the Falcons did not have an opportunity to flash their talents between the posts in one-on-one chances with their opponents. In 2009-10, BG has already had two games decided by a shootout and have won both of those by counts of 1-0. Falcon goaltenders Nick Eno and Andrew Hammond have each had the chance to participate in a shootout this season and have remained perfect, both saving all three shots against them. Each shootout was performed on the road (Oct. 30 at UNO and Nov. 28 at Notre Dame) after the Falcons gave up third period goals with a one score lead.
HOME 'D'
When playing at home the Falcons appear to keep their opponents 'in-check' allowing fewer shots per game at the BGSU Ice Arena than when they play on the road. The Falcons have allowed 30.1 shots a game in seven true home contests versus 36.6 shots per game in eleven games away from home. On the penalty kill, Bowling Green has allowed twice as many power-play goals on the road (16) as they have in home games (8). Their lone short-handed goal they have allowed versus Ferris State this year was also away from Bowling Green.
EVEN IS NOT SO EVEN
Despite the fact that the Falcons have been outscored on the whole this season (64-35), it has been well documented that BG plays the competition better when playing five-on-five hockey. Of the 64 goals they have allowed this year, only 33 (51.5 percent) have been while both teams had five on the ice. Bowling Green has scored 69 percent of their goals (24-of-35) while playing five-on-five. Even more impressive, in the four games the Falcons have won or tied this season BG has outscored the opposition 10-3 when both teams are at even-stength.
QUESTIONABLY STREAKY
The last five weekends have displayed a tale of two teams for the Falcons, but the numbers don't quite add up. From Nov. 13-28, the Falcons played their competition far better (2-3-1-1) than those they played in the month of December (0-4-0), but aside from the scoring, the numbers wouldn't tell you that.
|
Nov. 13-28 |
Dec. 4-12 |
|
| Shots on goal / per game: | ||
|
Bowling Green: |
128/21.3 |
106/26.5 |
|
Opponent: |
163/30.5 |
118/29.5 |
| Penalties (min) / per game: | ||
|
Bowling Green: |
38 (84) / 6.3 (14.0) |
29 (72) / 7.25 (18) |
| Power-play goals / per game: | ||
|
Bowling Green: |
4/.66 |
8/1.3 |
| Power-play goals against: | ||
|
Opponent: |
3/0.75 |
4/1.0 |
BG ON THE PP
With a man (or two) advantage, see has done the damage this season on the scoreboard for the Falcons.
Power-play goals: 12 (of 35)
Percentage of total goals: 34.3%
Power-play assists: 19 (of 58)
Percentage of total assists: 32.7%
Power-play points: 31 (of 93)
Percentage of total points: 33.3%
Tomas Petruska: 2-5*--7*
Tommy Dee: 3*-3--6
Kyle Page: 2-3--5
David Solway: 0-4--4
Jordan Samuels-Thomas: 2-2--4
Reed Rushing: 0-1--1
James Perkin: 1-0--1
Nathan Pageau: 0-1--1
Kai Kantola: 1-0--1
Wade Finegan: 1-0--1
*leads team in category
THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA
Much of this year's scoring has been had in the first or last two minutes of a period this year for BGSU and their opponents. Twenty-five of the 99 (25.2 percent) of all goals scored in a BGSU hockey game this season have been within the first two or during the last two minutes of a period. Bowling Green has scored nine times, accounting for 28 percent of their scoring during that span while their opposition has scored 16 times (25 percent).
UN-DEE-LIEVABLE SEASON
In his first three seasons as a Falcon, forward Tommy Dee had a combined 12 goals and six assists for 18 points over 96 games. He has had, by far, his best season as a senior and quickly looking to double his career totals. He already has a career-highs in goals (6), assists (5) and points (11) in a single season, and this only through 18 games in 2009-10. Dee had only one power-play goal in his career, but this year leads the team with three.
BG PLAYERS EXCEL ON POWER PLAY
How well are some of the Falcons doing this season on the power play? Glad you asked. So far in 2009-10 five different Falcons have four or more points while the team is on the power play. Tomas Petruska (Sr., F) leads the team with six power-play points (2-5) while senior Tommy Dee leads the team in power-play goals (3) and also has an assist. Fifty-six percent of Kyle Page's (Sr., D, 2-3) scoring has been on the power play with his five power-play points on the season with two goals and three assists. Jordan Samuels-Thomas (Fr., F) has a pair of power-play goals and assists apiece, while David Solway (Jr., F) has four points, all by assist, while on lathe man advantage. Freshmen Nathan Pageau and Reed Rushing both have an assist and seniors James Perkin and Kai Kantola both have a goal while the Falcons are on the power play this season. Junior forward Wade Finegan also entered the scoring column with a power-play goal versus Michigan State (Dec. 11).
SENIOR LEADERSHIP DEFINED
You no doubt have seen the small box clearly showing how the bulk of the scoring has been done by both the senior and freshman classes, but the senior class deserves more in leading the way for the 2009-10 Falcons. Falcons seniors have scored just over half (51.5 percent) of the 35 total goals this season and have accounted for 32 (55 percent) of the 58 helpers. In the last seven games, Bowling Green seniors have account for 50 percent of the goal scoring with eight of the sixteen put in the net. They also accounted for 13 assists (68 percent) and 23 points (64 percent) in that time. The BGSU seniors tallied all four assists versus Michigan State from their Dec. 11-12 series.
NOT GREEN ANYMORE, THEY ARE BOWLING GREEN!
Most coaches fret when nine freshman are asked to be major contributors on their team, but not Bowling Green. The 2009-10 freshman class has answered the call this year having scored 12-of-35 (34 percent) Falcon goals and helping on a thirty percent of all goals scored this season. In four games from Nov. 20-28, the freshmen scored more goals than any other class on the roster (5) and contributed six helpers over that span as well. Jordan Samuels-Thomas (Fr., Windsor, Conn.) leads the team and the freshman class with six goals and nine assists (15 points) on the season. He also leads the class and is tied for the team lead with five points in the last seven games.
THE COMPETITION THUS FAR
Nobody is making excuses here at Bowling Green for the 2-14-2 overall record, but its has been a tough schedule in the early goings of the season. The Falcons have already played five teams that are or were nationally ranked at the time they played their opponent. Two additional teams on the BG schedule have received votes in the latest USCHO.com poll (Minnesota and Michigan). As it stands now, they also have three more weekends that they match up with top-20 teams, including the No. 1 Miami Redhawks. Teams on the BG docket this season are a combined 129-111-44 overall. Every team BG has played so far has a .500 or better overall record, except Providence who resides with a 5-7-7 (.467) record. Those that have yet to be played on the BG schedule are 74-73-22 this season and only two teams have a winning record and two other teams have a .500 record. Of the teams Bowling Green has not played yet but are remaining on the schedule, they have a combined record of 45-50-16 overall.
FRESHMAN-SENIOR CONNECTION
Even though they have spent less than a season together, the freshman and senior classes have gelled quite nicely to provide BGSU with a majority of its offensive threat. Four out of 18 (22 percent) games this season all BGSU scoring was made by the freshman and senior classes. Fifteen of the 35 (43 percent) Falcon goals this season had at least one senior and freshman exclusively involved. Of the 9 freshmen and 9 seniors that are not goaltenders, only 2 of those 18 players have not scored a point this year (Peltoma and Shea).
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