Hockey Claims 2018 Great Lakes Invitational Championship in 4-1 Win

Tuesday, January 2

Detroit, Mich.

6:00PM

Bowling Green State University

10-6-6,7-2-5-2WCHA

Michigan Tech

10-7-5, 7-6-5-2WCHA

Bowling Green

Michigan Tech

Hockey Claims 2018 Great Lakes Invitational Championship in 4-1 Win

January 02, 2018 | Ice Hockey

Box Score

By: Jenna Jorgensen (Assistant Director of Athletic Communications)

DETROIT, Mich. – With a 4-1 victory over WCHA foe Michigan Tech (10-7-5, 7-6-5-2 WCHA), the Bowling Green hockey program (10-6-6, 7-2-5-2 WCHA) earned the Great Lakes Invitational Championship title for the first time in program history. In the tournament's first year at Little Caesars Arena, home of the Detroit Red Wings, the Falcons first downed Michigan 6-4 in the Jan. 1 semifinals to advance to the championship.

By a tournament-leading five points through two games played, sophomore forward Lukas Craggs was named GLI MVP – the first for a Bowling Green player in the Falcons three appearances in the 53 year tournament history – while freshman goaltender Eric Dop and sophomore defenseman Alec Rauhauser were recognized with All-Tournament Team honors in addition to Craggs.

Box Score
D'Andrea Goal Call 1-0
Ford Goal Call 2-1
Schilling Goal Call 3-1
Spezia Goal Call 4-1
Final Score Call

Scoring Plays

After a quiet start to the first period, the Falcons were able to capitalize on the power play for the fourth game in a row as senior Brett D'Andrea picked up the rebound down low and took the wide angle shot that found its way behind the Michigan Tech goaltender. D'Andrea's fourth of the season put the Falcons up 1-0 with just 1:43 remaining in the opening period, and was assisted by freshman Max Johnson and Rauhauser.
After Michigan Tech evened the score early in the second period, the Falcons were able to respond midway through the period as junior John Schilling carried the puck up the boards. Freshman Connor Ford was ready at the crease for the rebound to lift the Falcons to a 2-1 lead midway through the game with his third goal of the season.
A force against the Huskies, junior John Schilling notched his third goal of the season against Michigan Tech as he increased the Falcons lead to 3-1 with just under 8:00 to play in regulation. Senior captain Mitch McLain passed the puck from the hashmarks to Schilling waiting at the back door of Michigan Tech's goalie for the even strength point.
Finalizing the scoring was senior Tyler Spezia, as he was able to sneak the puck under the glove of the goaltender off a shot taken from the faceoff circle just 1:03 after Schilling's goal. By scoring for the second night in a row, Spezia lifted the Falcons to the 4-1 victory.

Statistical Standouts

With an assist on the opening goal of the game, sophomore defenseman Alec Rauhauser extends his point streak to four games, tying his career best. Rauhauser also continues to lead the team with 20 points through 22 games, and was named to the GLI All-Tournament Team.
With their performances in the Great Lakes Invitational, L. Craggs, Ford, Johnson, Pohlkamp and Spezia are now all on two-game point streaks. With the assist on both Ford and Schilling's goals against Michigan Tech, Lukas Craggs led the Bowling Green squad with five points in the two games of the GLI, earning him the title of Great Lakes Invitational Most Valuable Player.
All three of Schilling's goals this season have come against Michigan Tech, as he scored a pair in Houghton earlier this season. By his even strength goal and the assist on Ford's game winner, Schilling also earned his second multi-point night of the season.
In goal, freshman Eric Dop withstood 29 saves, including a game-high of 12 in the opening period of play, and only allowed one goal against on the night. The 29 saves is just one shy of his career-high of 30 (vs. Minnesota State, Oct. 20). A native of Lewis Center, Ohio, Dop now holds a record of 5-3-2, 2.46 GAA and .904 save percentage on the season, while with tonight's performance in the GLI, he was also named to the All-Tournament Team.
Over the course of the tournament, Lukas Craggs tallied back-to-back multi-point nights after two goals and one assist against Michigan in the semifinals was followed up with a pair of assists against Michigan Tech in the Championship, landing him a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
Overall, the Falcons went 1-for-2 on the power play, while also going 3-for-4 on the penalty kill. Michigan Tech narrowly outshot the Falcons 30-25 on the night, although Bowling Green held a 10-8 edge in the decisive third period.
On the season, the Falcons remain undefeated when scoring first (7-0-5), when leading after the first period (5-0-2) and when leading after the second period (9-0-4). Bowling Green is also 6-0-0 this season when scoring four or more goals in a game.

Up Next

The Falcons will now resume WCHA action as they travel to Big Rapids, Mich. to face Ferris State on Saturday, Jan. 6 and Sunday, Jan. 7. Saturday's game is set for a 5:07 p.m. puck drop, while Sunday is slated for a 3:07 p.m. start.

Follow the Falcons

For more information on the hockey program, follow the Falcons on Twitter (@BGFalconHockey and @BGAthletics) and now on Instagram (bgfalconhockey) as well as on the web right here at BGSUFalcons.com.