Late Miami Goal Lifts RedHawks Past Falcons

Saturday, January 16

Oxford, Ohio

7:07 PM

Bowling Green State University

13-7-5

Miami

7-11-3

Bowling Green

Miami

Photo by: Brad Phalin, BGSU Marketing and Communications

January 16, 2016 | Ice Hockey

Box Score

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

Box score

Oxford, Ohio – Miami scored with just two second remaining in regulation to defeat rival No. 16 Bowling Green hockey 2-1 Saturday night at Steve Cady Arena. The Falcons took an early lead on a Kevin Dufour goal but the RedHawks rebounded to get the non-conference victory.

"We didn't score enough," BGSU Head Coach Chris Bergeron said. "Over the course of the season, we've found ways to win games like that when the effort and energy is there. But when you play a team like that on the road, you have to score more than that."

Bowling Green outshot Miami 29-27 for the contest, including 12-6 in the first period when the Falcons were the early aggressors. Kevin Dufour rattled Miami goalie Jay Williams as he carried the puck up the left side of the ice and fired a wrister on net from the top of the left circle. Williams got a pad on the shot but it trickled past him and into the back of the net just 5:45 into the first period. (CLICK HERE for the goal call)

Bowling Green kept the pressure on Williams early and he gave up numerous dangerous rebounds. But the Falcons were unable to add to the lead and Williams settled in after that. The Falcons were unable to solve him despite 10 shots on goal in the second and seven more in the third.

On the other hand, Miami found a way to score twice on sophomore goalie Chris Nell, who has been one of the most consistent and dominant goaltenders in the country this year. Nell entered the contest ranked second in the nation in both goals against average and save percentage and he made 25 saves on the evening, a handful of which were spectacular.

But the RedHawks were able to tie the score late in the second period on a flurry in front of the net. Miami put three shots on goal and Alex Gacek was finally able to push the puck home at the 14:45 mark of the period.

The score remained deadlocked at 1-1 throughout a back-and-forth third period. Late in the frame, Miami was able to move the puck into the offensive zone and pressure Nell with a couple of chances. Eventually the puck found its way to Anthony Louis and his desperation shot beat the partially-screened goalie with only two seconds remaining for the victory.

"It comes down to one play," Bergeron said. "But I thought the game was a bunch of plays being made on either side. We had opportunities, we just didn't capitalize on ours."

Both teams went 0-for-2 on the power play for the evening with neither squad able to generate much offense with the man advantage. Miami came into the game with the best penalty killing unit in the country.

Freshman defenseman Jordan Ernst led the Falcons with four shots on goal and Miami blocked 17 of BGSU's shot attempts, compared to just five blocks by the Falcons.

Miami improves to 7-11-3 on the year with the win and BGSU falls to 13-7-5. The Falcons will return home for a league series against Alaska Anchorage. The games are set for Thursday and Friday at 7:07 pm. Thursday is Dollar Night with advance tickets sold for just $1, as well as various concession items during the game. On Friday, the team will sign postgame autographs.