Lake Superior State Hands Falcons Overtime Defeat

Saturday, January 9

Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

7:07 PM

Bowling Green State University

13-6-5, 9-3-4WCHA

Lake Superior State

8-12, 5-5-4WCHA

OT 1

Bowling Green

Lake Superior State

Photo by: Ruben Kappler, BGSU Marketing & Communications

January 09, 2016 | Ice Hockey

Box Score

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

Box Score

Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. – The Bowling Green State University hockey team ripped three shots off posts and had a goal disallowed in regulation and Lake Superior State made the Falcons pay. The Lakers broke a scoreless tie early in overtime to get a 1-0 victory and a weekend split.

Freshman Adam Smith appeared to give Bowling Green the lead in the second period when his one-timer from the point beat Lake Superior State goalie Gordon Defiel over his right shoulder with traffic in front. However, the goal was reviewed and there was ruled to be contact with the goalie in the crease.

While Lake Superior State outshot the Falcons 14-6 over the first 20 minutes, Bowling Green evened things up through the remainder of regulation, outshooting the Lakers 19-16 over the final 40 minutes. BGSU's best chance may have come late in the third as freshman Jordan Ernst rang a shot off the post and the puck sat on the goal line with under 30 seconds to play. LSSU was able to clear the puck and force overtime.

In the extra session, Diego Cuglietta took just 83 seconds to beat Chris Nell from the right side on Lake Superior State's 31^st shot of the night. The Falcons argued that the puck never crossed the goal line but the goal held up on video review.

Nell kept the Falcons in the game throughout the night, making 30 saves, a handful of them of the acrobatic variety to turn aside solid opportunities by Lake Superior State. Both teams were 0-for-4 on the power play and the Lakers won 32-of-57 face-offs.

Brandon Hawkins had a team-high four shots on goal and Mark Friedman added three. Friedman and Chris Pohlkamp both blocked two shots.

For the Falcons, it was their first overtime loss of the season, falling to 2-1-5 in eight overtime contests. Bowling Green and Lake Superior State completed their four-game regular season slate having played three overtime games, two of which concluded in 1-1 ties.

"We weren't ready to play tonight," BGSU Hockey Coach Chris Bergeron said. "We didn't create enough opportunities and we didn't test Defiel a whole lot. Lake Superior State played hard and they made it difficult on us. That's a tribute to them."

Lake Superior State improves to 8-12-4 and 5-5-4 in WCHA play with the win. Bowling Green falls to 13-6-5 overall and 9-3-4 in conference play. The Falcons will face non-conference rival Miami for a single game in Oxford Saturday at 7:07 pm.