Falcons Cruise Past Ferris State for Second Straight Win

Friday, November 4

Bowling Green, Ohio

8:07 PM

Bowling Green State University

2-6-1, 1-2-0WCHA

Ferris State

1-8-1, 1-5-1WCHA

Ferris State

Bowling Green

November 04, 2016 | Ice Hockey

Box Score

By: by Matthew Daley, Athletic Communicationis Assistant

Box Score
Photo Gallery
Spezia Goal Call
Pohlkamp Goal Call
Rauhauser Goal Call
McLain Goal Call

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University hockey team won their second consecutive game and captured their first WCHA victory of the season by defeating Ferris State 4-1 on Friday, Nov. 4 at the BGSU Ice Arena. Freshman Alec Rauhauser led the Falcons with a goal and two assists.

The Falcons dominated the offensive zone throughout the game, ultimately owning a 34-15 edge in shots on goal. Their attack on Bulldogs' goaltender Darren Smith began early in the first period.

Tyler Spezia netted his first goal of the season just 4:31 into the contest with a shot past Smith from between the circles. He redirected a shot attempt from Rauhauser, who was credited with an assist. Sean Walker also earned an assist on the play, and the Falcons led 1-0.

One minute later, Andrew Mayer was penalized for elbowing, and BGSU had their first power play opportunity of the evening. The Falcons made it count. Matt Pohlkamp found himself in a scramble in front of the FSU net, and he tipped the puck past Smith for a 2-0 lead at the 6:37 mark. Mitch McLain and Kevin Dufour assisted on the play.

BGSU had another opportunity on the power play midway through the period. However, Ferris State killed it and were granted a power play of their own 23 seconds later.

FSU used the man advantage to cut BGSU's lead in half after 18 seconds, when Dominic Lutz sent a soft shot over Chris Nell's shoulder and into the net.

The Falcons quickly answered to regain the two-goal lead. Rausauser posted his second collegiate goal and second point of the game with a backhander from Smith's left. The goal came at the 13:12 mark, 22 seconds after FSU's.

Bowling Green held the 3-1 lead for the remainder of the first period and throughout much of the second. They killed two separate Bulldog power plays, then finally added to the lead late in the period.

At the 16:36 mark, Zac Tierney was sent to the box for holding. BGSU pressured Smith until finally Matt Pohlkamp sent a backdoor pass to McLain, who nudged the puck through the crease for a 4-1 lead 1:09 into the power play.

The Falcons' defense held firm over the final 22 minutes, which included two penalty kills. Overall, Nell faced just 15 shots and made 14 saves, while BGSU was 5-for-6 on the penalty kill.

Overall, the Bowling Green defense has been much improved over the last three games. They have allowed just three regulation goals in that time and faced only 49 shots. They have also allowed only two goals on 14 opponent power plays in that span.

The Falcons' offense has also awakened. In their two-game winning streak, the team has scored eight goals on 75 shots and has three power play goals. The two power play goals against Ferris represent only the second time BGSU has had multiple power play goals in a game this season.

Rauhauser, who had two career points prior to this weekend, scored three points against the Bulldogs. It is BGSU's first three-point effort of the season.

McLain added a goal and an assist for two points. He has eight total points in eight games this season and five in his last three. His eight points leads BGSU this season.

Spezia and Pohlkamp also had two points. Spezia doubled his season point total to four and earned his first goal, while Pohlkamp scored his fourth goal of the season and now has seven points.

The Falcons return the ice for the series finale against Ferris State at 7:07 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the BGSU Ice Arena. Following that game, the Falcons will head on the road for consecutive weekends before returning home for a post-Thanksgiving series against Alaska-Anchorage.