Falcons Drop 5-2 Decision To Bemidji State Friday Evening

Friday, January 30

Bemidji, Minn.

8:37 P.M.

Bowling Green State University

11-4-215-6-4; WCHA

Bemidji State

6-8-310-12-3; WCHA

Bowling Green

BSU

Photo by: Todd Pavlack / BGSUHockey.com

January 30, 2015 | Ice Hockey

Box Score

Nolan Valleau tallied his first two collegiate goals on the night.

By: by BGSU Athletic Communications

Bemidji, Minn. – The Bowling Green State University ice hockey team lost to Bemidji State, 5-2, Friday (Jan. 30) evening in front of 3,624 fans at the Sanford Center. The Falcons received a career game from freshman blue liner Nolan Valleau-- who tallied his first two collegiate goals—, while junior netminder Tommy Burke (6-3-3) turned away 24-of-27 shots in the losing effort.

With the loss, Bowling Green dropped to 15-6-4 overall and 11-4-2 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) standings. The Beavers, meanwhile, improved to 10-12-3 overall and 6-8-3 in conference play.

Bemidji outplayed Bowling Green in the first period of action, outshooting the Falcons 10-6 in the opening frame. The Beavers made the most of their chances, scoring the game's first goal at 12:59 of the first, taking an early 1-0 lead.

Bemidji's defenseman Brett Beauvais collected the puck after a Falcon turnover near the neutral zone and quickly send a pass to sophomore forward Charlie O' Conner. The winger found John Parker near the top of the Beavers' near circle and beat Burke in front of the crease.

Both goalies stood strong for the remainder of the opening frame, giving Bemidji State a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission. Burke turned away 9-of-10 shots in the period, and stopped 2-for-2 penalty kills throughout the opening frame.

The Falcons and Beavers exchanged goals in the middle period, despite Bowling Green once again being heavily outshot (13-6) in the period.

The Falcons struck first, scoring an even-strength marker at 4:22 into the second period. Freshman winger Brandon Hawkins, who entered the night leading all Falcon freshmen with 16 points, took a Beaver turnover and fired a shot towards Bemidji State's starting netminder Michael Bitzer. Bitzer, a Moorhead, Minnesota product, made the initial save but could not hold onto the puck. The rebound bounced towards Valleau, who found the back of the twine for his first collegiate goal.

You can listen to the goal call (Evan Pivnick) by CLICKING HERE!

The Beavers would answer right back, however, netting their second goal of the game at the 10:17 mark in the middle frame. The goal gave BSU a 2-1 lead, which stayed true for the remainder of the period.

After Bemidji State extend its lead to 3-1 with a power-play goal at 9:12 in the third, the Falcons came right back to cut the deficit within one.

The Orange and Brown entered the offensive zone at the near circle. DeSalvo, who entered the game with 10 assists, sent the puck back to the point to defenseman Mark Friedman. The Toronto, Ontario native swung the pass to the far circle with a waiting Valleau. The Novi, Michigan product took a one-timer and beat Bitzer glove-high for his second marker of the game.

You can listen to the goal call (Evan Pivnick) by CLICKING HERE!

However, clinging to a one-goal lead, Bemidji State took advantage late with two empty-net goals to give them a 5-2 decision over BGSU. O'Conner—his second goal of the game—and Kyle Bauman totaled goals at 18:56 and 19:34, respectively, to secure the victory for the Beavers.

The Falcons will take on the Beavers once for the final time in the regular season Saturday (Jan. 31) night, marking the second game of the WCHA weekend series. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 8:07 p.m. (ET) at the Sanford Center.