Nell And Void: Anchorage Unable To Solve Chris Nell As No. 12 Falcons Win 2-0

Sunday, November 1

Anchorage, Alaska

6:07 PM

Bowling Green State University

4-2-1,1-1-0

Alaska Anchorage

5-2-1,2-1-1

Bowling Green

Alaska Anchorage

Photo by: BGSU Marketing and Communications

Nell And Void: Anchorage Unable To Solve Chris Nell As No. 12 Falcons Win 2-0

November 01, 2015 | Ice Hockey

Box Score

By: by Jason Knavel, Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications

Boxscore

Anchorage, Alaska – Chris Nell made 25 saves and Kevin Dufour ended Bowling Green's power play skid as the No. 12 BGSU Falcons defeated Alaska Anchorage 2-0 Sunday evening to earn a weekend split in the Last Frontier.

"Overall, the effort was much better," BGSU head coach Chris Bergeron said. "The first 10 minutes were much better. And Chris Nell took advantage of an opportunity and played well."

For Nell, it was his second shutout of the season and fifth of his career, moving him into sole possession of third place in career shutouts among BGSU goalies all-time. Just a sophomore, Nell also earned a 2-0 shutout win over Ohio State earlier this year and played 79:27 of scoreless hockey on the weekend, picking up three more saves in the third period of Saturday night's weekend opener.

BGSU has struggled to get off to fast starts during the early stages of the 2015-16 season but improved to 3-0-0 on the season when scoring the first goal of the game. Sophomore Tyler Spezia lifted the Falcons to an early lead as he banged home a rebound in front of the net just 4:29 into the first period. John Schilling and Brent Tate added assists for the Falcons. (CLICK HERE for the goal call)

That goal was part of an early blitz for the Falcons that saw BGSU record each of the first six shots on goal in the contest. Alaska Anchorage, though, weathered the storm and actually held an 11-8 lead in shots on goal by the end of the first period. But Nell kept the Seawolves from getting an equalizer.

In the second, Bowling Green added to the lead as Dufour scored his team-leading fifth goal of the season – the first power play goal of the year for the Falcons. It snapped a string of 20 power play chances without a goal to start the season and gave BGSU some breathing room. Assists were credited to Brandon Hawkins and Mark Friedman. (CLICK HERE for the goal call)

"The power play goal was huge, not only for tonight's game, but to get rid of the goose egg for the season," Bergeron said. "On both of our power plays, we did good things and started with winning the faceoff to get offensive zone time right away."

Bowling Green won 29-of-53 faceoffs on the evening, led by Brett D'Andrea, who won seven of his nine faceoff attempts. Pierre-Luc Mercier was also strong in the faceoff circle with a 9-7 record.

On the team's two power plays, the Falcons recorded five shots on goal over just 2:36 of game time with the man advantage.

In the third period, Bowling Green limited Anchorage's scoring opportunities as the Seawolves put just five shots on goal. Alaska Anchorage pulled their goalie for the final 90 seconds but was unable to solve Nell even with the extra attacker.

Friedman and Sean Walker led the team with four shots on goal apiece and Friedman added a team-high four blocked shots. The Falcon penalty kill unit held off four Alaska Anchorage power play opportunities in the contest. Nell improved his record to 2-1-1 between the pipes this year.

With the loss, Alaska Anchorage falls to 5-2-1 on the season and 2-1-1 in WCHA play. Bowling Green, ranked No. 12 in the country, improved to 4-2-1 and 1-1-0 in WCHA action. The Falcons will return home to host Lake Superior State Friday and Saturday at the BGSU Ice Arena. Friday's contest is scheduled for a 7:37 pm start and Saturday's game is slated to begin at 7:07 pm.