Falcons Lose in Finale; Learn Tournament Destiny

Saturday, February 26

East Lansing, Mich.

7:05 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

Michigan State

BGSU goaltender Andrew Hammond stopped 30-of-32 shots in Saturday night's 2-0 loss to Michigan State.

February 26, 2011 | Ice Hockey

Despite their 2-0 loss to MSU, the Falcons learned they will head to Northern Michigan for Round One of the CCHA playoffs.

By: by Ryan Gasser, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Bowling Green hockey struggled offensively once again resulting in a 2-0 loss to Michigan State on Saturday night. The Falcons also learned their first destination in the opening round of the CCHA playoffs after the night's action around the league ceased.

Box score (.html) | Box score (.pdf) | Updated statistics (.html)
Post game press conference audio with Chris Bergeron (.mp3) -- click here!
Post game press conference video with Chris Bergeron -- click here!

The Falcons were shut out for the third time this season with their Saturday night loss against the Spartans. The defeat came on Michigan State's Senior Night, where the program honored two senior players and one senior staff member, as well as head coach Rick Comley's final game at Munn Ice Arena. Comley announced earlier this season that he is retiring after a nine-year stay at Michigan State and for now ending a 38-year head coaching career.

Bowling Green goaltender Andrew Hammond (Surrey, British Columbia) stopped 30-of-32 pucks thrown his way on the night, racking up his ninth 30-plus save game of the season and 15th of his career.

After one period of play, BGSU skated into the first intermission down one goal following Dean Chelios' seventh goal of the season. Hammond was again the victim of an unlucky bounce when a puck was knocked down in front of Hammond and rested out of the goaltender's sightline. Chelios crashing on the play poked the puck through Hammond's legs to score the opening goal at 3:58 with an assist given to Brock Shelgren. The goal was Chelios' second of the weekend.

The Brown and Orange were held to a two-period total of 11 shots on goal, five coming in a scoreless second period. The game ended with BGSU at a shot disadvantage of 32-17. Both teams went 0-for-3 on the power play though Bowling Green had only one shot on goal with the man advantage to Michigan State's three.

Bowling Green's defense had held together despite their offensive struggles but were exposed in the seventh minute of the third period when the Spartans added to their lead. Sophomore Derek Grant backdoored the BGSU defense and stood in position to receive linemate Dustin Gazley's pass through the slot before ripping a one-timer to beat Hammond on the far post, top shelf. The goal was scored at 6:31 of the third period and was Grant's eighth of the year.

Michigan State goaltender Drew Palmisano shut out the Falcons, stopping all 17 shots he faced Saturday night. His effort earned him first star honors.

As league action came to a close and eyes were on all three meaningful games towards the conference standings, the Falcons also learned where they are heading in the first round of the CCHA Tournament. With the new playoff format installed prior to this season, all 11 teams make the playoffs but the top five teams receive first-round byes in the tournament. With Lake Superior and Northern Michigan's loss combined with a win from Western Michigan on Saturday night, the Falcons will travel to Marquette, Mich. to play the sixth place Northern Michigan Wildcats. The first round will begin this Friday, March 4. All first and second round series' will be played in a best-of-three format.

The Falcons finish the regular season with an overall record of 8-24-4 and a conference mark of 3-21-4-2. In 2009-10, BGSU finished 5-25-6 with a CCHA record of 4-20-6-4 and an eleventh place finish in the standings.

Follow the Brown and Orange through the CCHA playoffs! Full coverage of Falcon hockey and all 18 varsity sports can be found on the official online home of BGSU athletics, www.BGSUFalcons.com. Be sure to follow the Falcons on Facebook by searching “BG Warriors” or follow them on Twitter through www.twitter.com/WEAREBGHOCKEY.