Falcons Fall 4-1 To Ferris State In Final Road Contest Of The Regular Season

Saturday, February 18

Big Rapids, Mich.

7:05 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

Ferris State

Photo by: Todd Pavlack / BGSUHockey.com

Falcons Fall 4-1 To Ferris State In Final Road Contest Of The Regular Season

February 18, 2012 | Ice Hockey

By: John Enright-Athletic Communications

BOXSCORE | Mike Sullivan Audio

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Bowling Green State University ice hockey team dropped a 4-1 decision to Ferris State Saturday night at the Ewigleben Ice arena, giving the Bulldogs the series sweep. Freshman Adam Berkle scored the lone goal for the Falcons, while junior Andrew Hammond stopped 17-of-20 shots in the loss.

Similar to Friday night's contest, the opening frame was filled with solid defense and stellar goaltending. Both teams were held scoreless heading into the first intermission, with Bowling Green edging the Bulldogs 6-5 in shots.

Ferris State broke the goal drought just 1:36 into the second period, netting a goal with a 5-3 man advantage. Junior Matthew Kirzinger accepted a cross-slot pass from senior Jordie Johnston, and buried his ninth goal of the season, giving the Bulldogs the 1-0 lead.

The Bulldogs would light-the-lamp again in the second period, scoring an even-strength tally at the 12:37 mark of the frame. Bowling Green was caught in an aggressive pinch, leading to a Ferris State 2-on-1 odd-man rush. Sophomore Cory Kane carried the puck into the Falcons zone, and fired a wrist shot past Hammond for his seventh goal of the season, and eleventh of his career.

Despite the two-goal deficit, Bowling Green continued to pressure Ferris State throughout the second frame, leading to a Falcon goal with just under two minutes remaining in the period. Sophomore Jake Sloat fired a shot on the Ferris State cage, finding the stick of Berkle in front of the crease. Berkle deflected the puck past Ferris State goaltender Taylor Nelson for his fourth goal of the season, cutting the Bulldog lead to 2-1.

Ferris State responded in the third period, netting an even-strength tally at the 4:22 mark of the final frame. Senior Aaron Schmit deflected a shot from the point past Hammond for his sixth goal of the season, giving the Bulldogs the 3-1 lead.

The Falcons were unable to solve Nelson for the rest of the contest, as Ferris State added an empty-net goal to secure the 4-1 Bulldog victory.

The Falcons have now given up a power-play tally in five-straight games, dating back to the Falcons 3-2 win at Notre Dame (Feb. 4).

Bowling Green's current power-play goal drought now sits at nine games, covering 35 straight power-play opportunities.

The loss drops the Falcons' overall record to 9-20-5 overall, with a record of 4-18-4-3 in CCHA action. The Ferris State win improves their overall record to 22-8-4, with a record of 16-6-4 in conference play.

The Falcons are back in action next weekend, facing off against Michigan for the final series of the regular season at the BGSU Ice Arena. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m., Friday and Saturday.