Spezia Scores Twice, But Falcons Drop 5-2 Decision

Friday, October 31

Bowling Green, Ohio

7:07 P.M.

Bowling Green State University

4-2-1. 2-1-0

Minnesota State

5-2-0, 3-0-0

MINNST

Bowling Green

Photo by: Todd Pavlack / BGSUHockey.com

October 31, 2014 | Ice Hockey

Box Score

No. 12 Minnesota State takes the first game of the weekend series despite two goals from the freshman forward.

By: By James Nahikian, BGSU Athletic Communications

Postgame Interview: Chris Bergeron

Postgame Interview: Tyler Spezia

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University ice hockey team was defeated by No. 12 Minnesota State, 5-2, Friday night (Oct. 31) at the BGSU Ice Arena in front of 2,068 Falcon faithful in Western Collegiate Hockey Association action. Freshman forward Tyler Spezia scored both of the Falcons' goals, while sophomore goaltender Tomas Sholl turned away 29-of-34 shots.

Bowling Green falls to 4-2-1 (2-1-0 WCHA), while Minnesota State improves to 5-2-0 (3-0-0 WCHA).

Spezia put Bowling Green ahead just 3:31 into the contest. After receiving a pass from Dan DeSalvo, Adam Berkle fired an initial shot that was saved by Stephon Williams. But Spezia was there to pounce on the rebound and bang the puck into the empty net before Williams could slide to his right.

The Orange and Brown held onto the lead, thanks to a huge breakaway save by Sholl just moments later. But the Mavericks scored the equalizer on the power play at the 10:21 mark of the opening frame.

The Falcons, who were outshot 34-19 on the night, took the 1-1 tie into the first-period intermission.

Minnesota State scored three goals in the second period to take control of the game. The Mavericks took the lead for good just 1:16 into the frame, and Bryce Gervais – who recorded a hat trick on the night – scored less than three minutes later to give the visitors a two-goal lead.

"They played like a veteran team that's had some success the last few years," head coach Chris Bergeron said. "It has to be every shift. It was to be every play. Minnesota State (has set) the bar. It wasn't good enough."

Gervais' original shot was stopped by Sholl, but the puck bounced right back to the Maverick. Gervais next shot found the back of the net. The officials had ruled that the net was knocked off its moorings at first, but upon review, Minnesota State was awarded the goal. Gervais struck again with 5:01 remaining in the second period to give the Mavericks a 4-1 lead heading into the final frame.

Bowling Green showed no quit, and came out firing on all cylinders to open the third. Spezia cut Bowling Green's deficit to 4-2 just 33 seconds into the period. Berkle – who picked up his second assist of the night on the play – found Spezia wide open in the neutral zone. Spezia finished off the goal on the breakaway on his backhand after putting a nice deke on Williams. Sean Walker was also credited with an assist on the play.

The Falcons had their chances to pull within one, including a point-blank shot from Matt Pohlkamp after Kevin Dufour gained the zone and dished it over, but Williams was always up to the task.

Gervais went on to complete the hat trick with 4:52 left in the game to give the Mavericks a 5-2 lead.

Pohlkamp and Berkle led the Falcons with four shots each, while Spezia, Brandon Hawkins and Mitchell McLain recorded two apiece. BGSU blocked 11 shots on the night, highlighted by Mike Sullivan's three-block effort. Bowling Green was 0-for-1 on the power play.

Bowling Green will look for a split tomorrow night, as the Falcons and Mavericks will conclude the two-game series. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:07 p.m.