Falcons Headed To The Joe After 4-3 Overtime Victory

Sunday, March 11

Big Rapids, Mich. (CCHA Second Round)

7:05 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

Ferris State

Photo by: Todd Pavlack / BGSUHockey.com

March 11, 2012 | Ice Hockey

Freshman Dan DeSalvo scores three goals to propel Falcons to CCHA semi-finals

By: John Enright-Athletic Communications

BOXSCORE | Dan Desalvo Audio | Bryce Williamson Audio | Asst. Coach Barry Schutte Audio |

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Bowling Green State University ice hockey team defeated Ferris State Sunday night, dropping the Bulldogs, 4-3, in overtime. The Falcons' victory clinches the best-of-three series for Bowling Green, earning a spot in the CCHA semifinals for the first time since 2000-2001. Freshman Dan DeSalvo scored three-straight tallies for the Falcons, pushing his playoff goal total to 10, a new CCHA record. Junior Andrew Hammond stopped 28-of-31 shots in the victory, pushing his season win total to 14.

Ferris State struck first in the contest, netting an even-strength marker just 3:23 into the game. Senior Jordie Johnston took a pass down low, and broke towards the Bowling Green net. Johnston hugged the goal line, and slipped the puck through Hammond for his 18^th goal of the season.

The Bulldogs lit-the-lamp again just 10 minutes later, scoring a power play goal at 13:59. Junior Matthew Kirzinger carried the puck into the Bowling Green zone, before sending a saucer pass in the direction of the slot. Senior Derek Graham was waiting, and tipped in his seventh goal of the season to give Ferris State the 2-0 lead.

Ferris State scored one final goal in the period, pushing the score to 3-0 with just under three minutes left in the opening frame. Freshman Jason Binkley fired a shot from just outside the blue line on the Falcon cage, beating Hammond for his first-career goal.

Down 3-0 heading into the second period, the Falcons started their rally, scoring their first goal of the game roughly six minutes into the middle frame. Carpenter forced his way towards the Ferris State net, and got off a shot that was blocked by the Bulldog defense. After a scramble in front, Carpenter got the puck back, and jammed it past Ferris State goaltender Taylor Nelson for his 10^th goal of the season.

Hammond was perfect in the second period, turning away all 16 Ferris State shots, including three while on the penalty kill.

Just five minutes into the final period, the Bulldogs turned the puck over to DeSalvo near the Ferris State blue line. DeSalvo carried the puck into the Ferris State zone and fired a snap shot on net using the Bulldog defenseman as a screen. The puck flew past Nelson's blocker side, giving DeSalvo his first goal of the game, and cutting the Ferris State lead to 3-2.

DeSalvo struck again, tying the game, 3-3, with just over four minutes remaining in the third period. Junior Ryan Peltoma accepted a pass from along the boards in the Ferris State zone, and fired a shot towards the Bulldog net. The puck found DeSalvo's stick in front for the tip, sneaking it past Nelson for his second goal of the game.

The Falcons didn't need much time to capitalize in the bonus period, scoring the game-winning goal just 2:38 into overtime. Freshman Marcus Perrier collected a pass from around the far Ferris State circle, and sent a shot towards the Bulldog net. Just like his previous goal, DeSalvo just got a piece of the shot with his stick in front of the Ferris State crease, deflecting the puck past Nelson for his hat-trick goal, securing the 4-3 overtime victory.

DeSalvo's three-goal effort marks the first Falcon to record a hat-trick since Derek Whitmore, in a 4-1 win against Western Michigan (Jan. 18, 2008) at the BGSU Ice Arena. DeSalvo now also holds the CCHA record for playoff goals (10), breaking the previous record of 8 held by three players. Former Michigan Wolverine Mike Knuble (1995), Bobby Reynolds (1988 - Michigan State) and Rick Brebant (1987 - Ohio State) previously held the record.

The win sends Bowling Green to Joe Louis Arena for the CCHA semi-final round for the first time since 2001, where they will face off against the University of Michigan.

Bowling Green was 1-1 against Michigan during the regular season, including a 4-3 win over the Wolverines on Feb. 24.
The Falcons will play Michigan at 8:05 p.m. on Friday, March 16th.