Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
8-8-4, 6-6-2
Michigan Tech
6-9-5, 4-4-4
Falcons Erase Late Goal Deficit To Tie Michigan Tech, 4-4
December 14, 2013 | Ice Hockey
Bowling Green raillied with two goals late in the third period to earn a 4-4 overtime tie against Michigan Tech.
HOUGHTON, Mich – The Bowling Green State University ice hockey team tied Michigan Technological University on Saturday night (Dec. 14), 4-4 in overtime, erasing a two-goal deficit over the final three minutes of the third period in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association showdown. Playing in front of 2,429 fans at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena, the Falcons saw four different skaters score goals, while sophomore goaltender Tommy Burke (6-1-4) turned away a career high 43-of-47 shots.
The Orange and Brown got goals from Mark Cooper, Dajon Mingo, Ben Murphy and Bryce Williamson in the tying effort. Bowling Green went 1-for-3 on the power play, while going 2-for-4 on the penalty kill. With the tie, the Falcons won three of a possible four points over the weekend, giving BGSU a total of 14 conference points on the year.
Both teams entered the third period deadlocked at 1-1, as Michigan Tech and Bowling Green needed only one goal to win the tilt. However, both teams exploded for a combined six goals over the final 20 minutes of action, as the Falcons erased a 4-2 deficit late in the final frame to come away with a point in the WCHA standings.
The Black and Gold came out in the third period aggressive offensively, lighting the lamp twice in a 1:50 minute time span to take 3-1 advantage with 9:50 remaining in the game. The Huskies finally solved Falcons' netminder Burke, who made 27 straight saves before allowing the second and third tallies on the night.
Trailing by two goals, the Falcons struck back just 2:14 later, lighting the lamp with an even-strength goal to get within 3-2. Mingo, who had an assist on Cooper's goal in the first period, received a pass from Marcus Perrier across the slot and beat Copley for Bowling Green's second goal of the night.
Mingo has now tallied at least one point over the last five games, his longest point streak of his Falcon career.
Michigan Tech answered once more at the 13:02 mark to extend their lead to 4-2, but Bowling Green rallied late in the period to force overtime for the seventh time this season.
Trailing by two goals with just under three minutes remaining, the Orange and Brown pulled Burke out of the net for an extra skater. With six skaters on the ice, the Falcons won the faceoff in their zone as Williamson quickly gathered the puck. The senior forward fired a shot towards Copley that was initially saved, but the puck redirected towards Murphy. The sophomore sent a one-timer into the back of the net near the left crease, cutting the lead to 4-3 with 2:28 remaining in regulation.
With momentum swinging into the Falcons' hands, the Orange and Brown struck once more with 1:02 left in the game. Williamson sent a rebound that landed in front of the crease to the back of the net, removing a two-goal deficit to force OT.
The goal was Williamson's eighth goal of the season, and now has 8-8=16 on the season.
Bowling Green outshot the Huskies 7-2 in the extra period, but could not solve Copley, earning their third point of the WCHA series.
The tie improved Bowling Green's record to 8-8-4overall, and 6-6-2 in league play. Michigan Tech's record now sits at 6-9-5 and 4-4-4 in the WCHA. The Falcons stand at 2-6-3 on the road, and 1-1-4 in overtime on the season.
The Falcons will have next week off before playing in the Three Rivers Classic on Dec. 27-28. The tournament will be played at the CONSOL Energy Center home of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Boston College, Penn State University and Robert Morris will join the Bowling Green Falcons for the two-day tournament in Pittsburgh. The weekend competition will mark the first non-conference action for the Orange and Brown since playing Ohio State on Oct. 29.
