Hockey Heads North for Critical Conference Matchup Against Wildcats

#14 Bowling Green Falcons (12-6-6, 9-2-5-2 WCHA)
vs.
Northern Michigan Wildcats (11-10-3, 9-5-2-2 WCHA)

GAME INFORMATION	Friday, Jan. 12, 7:07 p.m. ET Saturday, Jan. 13, 7:07 p.m. ET
LOCATION	Marquette, Mich. (Berry Events Center)
RADIO	Falcon Radio Network (Ryan Vallon)
LIVE STATS	NMUWildcats.com
LISTEN ONLINE	BGSUFalcons.com
GAME NOTES	Bowling Green
WATCH ONLINE	WCHA.tv

>>FALCONS ON TAP

The Bowling Green hockey program will continue its road action as it travels to Marquette, Mich. to face Northern Michigan in more WCHA play. The Falcons and Wildcats will face off on Friday, Jan. 12 and Saturday, Jan. 13 in 7:07 p.m. puck drops.
The road trip to Marquette will be the only series between the Falcons and Northern Michigan in the 2017-18 regular season.
An important series in the standings, the Falcons are currently second in the WCHA standings with 34 points, while Northern Michigan narrowly trails just three behind at 31 points.

>>VERSUS NORTHERN MICHIGAN

All-time, the Falcons hold a 48-43-8 advantage over the Wildcats.
The Falcons have won six of the last eight meetings against Northern Michigan, including a 2-2 record in the 2016-17 season.
Most recently, Bowling Green was swept by Northern Michigan at home (Feb. 3-4, 2017) by scores of 3-0 and 2-0. The Falcons struggled against a hot Wildcat goaltender in Atte Tolvanen, after racking up 75 shots on goal through two games and being unable to score. It was the most shots on goal from Bowling Green in a two-game series last season, and the Falcons ultimately outshot the Wildcats by a combined 75-43 margin.
While on the road in Marquette in November, the Falcons swept the Wildcats by a combined score of 10-4, with a Friday night final of 5-1 followed up by a Saturday night score of 5-3. Nine different Falcons scored, while a total of 14 earned a point in the series.

>>NATIONALLY RANKED

T-4th: Stephen Baylis – Shorthanded Goals (2)
T-4th: Mitch McLain – Shorthanded Goals (2)
T-5th: Alec Rauhauser – Defenseman Points per Game (0.92)
14th: Ryan Bednard – Save Percentage (.918)
T-15th: Cameron Wright – Power Play Goals (5)
17th: Ryan Bednard – Goals Against Average (2.21)
T-18th: Cameron Wright – Freshman Points per Game (0.74)
19th: Eric Dop – Winning Percentage (.636)
T-21st: Ryan Bednard – Winning Percentage (.615)
24th: Brandon Kruse – Freshman Points per Game (0.71)
27th: Eric Dop – Goals Against Average (2.49)
T-36th: Stephen Baylis – Power Play Goals (4)
T-36th: Frederic Letourneau – Game-Winning Goals (2)
T-36th: Alec Rauhauser – Game-Winning Goals (2)
T-36th: Connor Ford – Game-Winning Goals (2)
T-41st: Max Johnson – Freshman Points per Game (0.62)
50th: Eric Dop – Save Percentage (.902)

>>ABOUT LAST WEEKEND

In Sunday's 3-0 win at Ferris State, sophomore goaltender Ryan Bednard earned his second career shutout with 27 saves, including a game-high of 12 in the opening period of play. It marked the first shutout for the Falcons since Feb. 25, 2017 (vs. Alabama Huntsville) and first shutout on the road since March 5, 2016 (at Alabama Huntsville).
Bowling Green held its opponent scoreless on the power play for the eighth time this season while facing seven opportunities, where they hold a 5-1-2 record when doing so.
In Saturday's 6-3 win against the Bulldogs, freshman goaltender Eric Dop appeared between the pipes, where he made 23 saves on the night including a high of 12 in the second period. On the season, Dop improved to a 6-3-2 record, paired with a .902 save percentage and 2.49 goals against average.
Five Falcons earned multi-point nights in Saturday's 6-3 win including Cameron Wright (2G), Lukas Craggs (1G, 1A), Connor Ford (1G, 1A), Mitch McLain (2A), and John Schilling (2A).
With 44 shots on goal in Saturday's game, the Bowling Green hockey program set a new season-high on the year. The mark included a season-best of 21 shots on goal in the third period alone, to shatter its previous season-high of 42 (vs. Alabama Huntsville, Dec. 9).
By notching a goal on Saturday night, senior Tyler Spezia went on a three-game scoring streak for the third time in his career.
With his first power play goal of the night, it marked the first time since Nov. 11 that freshman Cameron Wright had scored a goal. By scoring his second of the night just 3:39 later, it also marked his first career multi-goal game. A native of Newmarket, Ontario, Wright leads the freshman class with 17 points on the season.
Connor McDonald led the team with a plus-3 rating on the ice, which is a season-high for the junior defenseman.
Ultimately, the Falcons went 3-for-9 on the power play on the weekend, in addition to 11-for-13 on the penalty kill. Saturday's game featured a perfect 7-for-7 on the penalty kill.

>>STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

After opening the series with a dominate 6-3 win, followed by Sunday's 3-0 victory, it marks the first conference sweep of the season for the Falcons and first since March 10-11, 2017 (WCHA Semifinals at Bemidji State).
Active point streaks include Rauhauser (six games, career-best), L. Craggs (four games, career-best), Ford (four games, career-best), McLain (three games), and Kruse (two games).
After scoring his team-leading 10th goal of the season, senior Mitch McLain officially joins the Bowling Green hockey record book as his empty net shorty marked the sixth in his career, which ties for fifth in program history. On the year, the Falcons are 7-1-3 when McLain tallies a point, while he is now on a three-game point streak. With the duo, the Baxter, Minn. native tallied his fifth multi-goal game of his career, and third multi-point night of the season.
A consistent presence on the box score, sophomore defenseman Alec Rauhauser is currently on a career-long six-game point streak with the assist on McLain's goal. A native of Bismarck, N.D., Rauhauser has tallied two goals and six assists in that stretch, and continues to lead the team with 22 points through 24 games played.
By putting the Falcons up 2-0, sophomore Lukas Craggs is currently riding a four-game point streak, one in which he has scored a goal in three of the last four games. The Elmhurst, Ill. native has also tallied a total of eight points in last four games. Craggs' power play goal also marked the first in his career with the man advantage.
Following up his career-high three point performance against the Bulldogs on Saturday night, freshman Connor Ford extended his point streak to a career-best four-games with an assist on Craggs' goal. Since Jan. 1, the freshman has tallied two goals and four assists for six points, while on the season he totals 11 points by four goals and seven assists.
Bowling Green held its opponent scoreless on the power play for the seventh time this season in Sunday's 3-0 win over Ferris State, where they hold a 5-1-2 record when doing so.
The Falcons continue to hold numerous undefeated records on the season, including when they score first (9-0-5), when leading after two periods (10-0-4) and when they score four or more goals in a game (7-0-0), in addition to its perfect 4-0-0 start to the 2018 campaign.
The Falcons momentum stems from a big tournament appearance, as they earned its first Great Lakes Invitational championship title in program history. In its first year at Little Caesar's Arena, three Falcons were named to the All-Tournament Team in Lukas Craggs, Alec Rauhauser and Eric Dop. Additionally, Craggs became the Falcons first GLI MVP in program history after his five points through two games played.
Last week in the GLI, Bowling Green opened the tournament with a 6-4 win over Michigan, making it the Falcons second win over a Big Ten team this season, after downing Michigan State at home 4-2 (Oct. 13). It was also the first win over Michigan since Jan. 8, 2013, and the Falcons are now on a two-game win streak against the Wolverines. It was also the first win against Michigan at a neutral site in program history (1-6 record).
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 the GLI Championship.
The Falcons 2-2 tie against the RedHawks earlier this season was highlighted with a penalty shot attempt by freshman Brandon Kruse. A native of Saline, Mich., Kruse scored to put the Falcons up 1-0 with just 00:34 remaining in the first period. Bowling Green is now .500 all-time in penalty shots with 12 goals on 24 attempts, including a 9-for-13 (.692) success rate at the Slater Family Ice Arena. When attempting a penalty shot, the Falcons are 12-9-2 all-time, as well as 7-3-2 when they are successful.
Seven Falcons have now tallied their first career goals thus far in the season, most recently being freshman Justin Wells, who put the Falcons up 2-0 over the Wolverines in the GLI Semifinals in just a 1:09 span. Other Falcons who have tallied their first career goals this season include freshmen Cameron Wright, Brandon Kruse, Connor Ford, Sam Craggs, and Max Johnson, in addition to junior Shane Bednard.

>>SIGHTS ON SHORTIES

After notching his team-leading sixth career shorthanded goal against Ferris State (Jan. 7), senior Mitch McLain has officially joined the Bowling Green hockey record book. The captain is now tied for fifth in program history with six career shorthanded goals, including two in each of the last two seasons.
The Falcons featured two shorthanded goals in a game against the Lakers on Nov. 11, one by each McLain and Baylis. On the Bowling Green squad, McLain (5), John Schilling (1), Lukas Craggs (1) and Baylis (1) have all tallied a shorty in their career.

>>EYES ON CENTURY MEN

Senior Mitch McLain: 144 games played, 45 goals – 39 assists – 84 points
Senior Tyler Spezia: 130 games played, 28 goals – 34 assists – 62 points
Senior Brett D'Andrea: 114 games played, 18 goals – 26 assists – 44 points
Junior Connor McDonald: 104 games played, 6 goals – 17 assists – 23 points
Junior Stephen Baylis: 98 games played, 19 goals – 34 assists – 53 points
Junior John Schilling: 93 games played, 12 goals – 17 assists – 29 points
Junior Chris Pohlkamp: 87 games played, 1 goal – 19 assists – 20 points

>>STANDOUT SOPHOMORE AT THE BLUE LINE

Sophomore defenseman Alec Rauhauser earned his first career WCHA weekly award when he was named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts at then-No. 5 Minnesota State. Rauhauser was then named to his first career WCHA Defensive Player of the Month award in November for notching seven points in eight games played, as well as Player of the Week for a three-point performance in the Great Lakes Invitational.
A native of Bismarck, N.D., Rauhauser matched his career-high three point night, and marked his first career multi-goal game by a pair of power play goals and an assist against then-No. 5 Minnesota State. On the weekend against the Mavericks, Rauhauser also led the Bowling Green squad with seven shots on goal helping them earn the split against the nationally ranked program.
Rauhauser is currently on a career-best six-game point streak, a span in which Rauhauser has tallied two goals and six assists for eight points.
On the season, Rauhauser averages 0.92 points per game, which ranks him fifth nationally for all defensemen, as well as first overall in the WCHA. The Bismarck, N.D. native has 22 points through 24 games played by six goals and 16 assists.

>>ON OUR RADAR

Freshman goaltender Eric Dop earned his first career win in his first career start between the pipes when he posted 27 saves in the 4-1 victory over Michigan State (Oct. 13).
The Lewis Center, Ohio native currently sits 27th overall in the country with a 2.49 goals against average, in addition to being ranked 50th nationally with a save percentage of .902.
After double-overtime resulting in a 2-2 tie, Dop faced his first career shootout action in his career against Lake Superior State. Dop shut down all three of the Lakers shootout attempts, helping the Falcons win the extra point in the third round of the shootout.
Dop earned the first WCHA weekly award of his career when he was named WCHA Rookie of the Week on Oct. 30 for his efforts against Alaska. Since then, Dop has added three additional WCHA Rookie of the Week honors for his performances against Michigan Tech, Bemidji State, and the GLI for a team-leading four awards on the year; one each in October, November, December and January.

>>BROTHERLY LOVE

In Saturday's 3-3 tie against Bemidji State, freshman Sam Craggs tallied his first career goal for the Falcons as he lifted them to a 2-1 lead in the final minutes of the second period. To force an overtime session, older brother Lukas Craggs notched his third of the season with the extra skater and just 00:54 remaining in regulation.
More connections were recently made between the Craggs brothers when elder brother Lukas fed the puck to Sam Craggs to tie the game at 3-3 against Ferris State (Jan. 6). Lukas Craggs also went on to notch a goal of his own in the 6-3 win to seal a four-goal third period for the Falcons.
Not a first for Bowling Green this season, junior Shane Bednard also posted his first career goal with his brother on the ice. The older Bednard brother scored the Falcons second even strength goal at Michigan State (Oct. 14), as his younger brother Ryan Bednard tended the net with 32 saves and three goals against.

>>PRESEASON POLLS PEG BOWLING GREEN

The Bowling Green hockey program was voted to finish fourth overall in both the 2017 Mankato Free Press WCHA Coaches' and the UAHhockey.com WCHA Media preseason polls.
For the upcoming season, the Falcons return nine of 12 forwards who appeared in the WCHA Championship, as well as five of seven defensemen for the 2017-18 campaign, resulting in Bowling Green garnering 90 points in the coaches' preseason poll. The Falcons also had one vote for the top finish on the year in the media preseason poll.
Senior forward Mitch McLain was voted to Preseason All-WCHA First Team honors by both the coaches and media, in addition to receiving votes for Preseason WCHA Player of the Year by the media.
Also receiving votes for Preseason All-WCHA Teams were senior forward Tyler Spezia and sophomore defenseman Alec Rauhauser.

>>2017-18 FALCON HOCKEY OUTLOOK

The Falcons return nine of 12 forwards who appeared in the WCHA Championship, in addition to five of seven defensemen for the 2017-18 campaign. In goal, the Falcons will return Florida Panthers draftee Ryan Bednard, who marked a 2.70 GAA and .882 save percentage.
Bowling Green adds a class of nine freshmen to the 2017-18 squad, including two goaltenders, two defensemen and five forwards.
The Falcons return 2016-17 leading scorer in senior forward Mitch McLain, who tallied 17 goals and 16 assists for 33 points and will be leading as the Falcons captain for the 2017-18 campaign. A native of Baxter, Minn., McLain also led the team on the ice with a plus-19 rating.
By registering 30 points last season, the Falcons also return its third highest scorer in senior forward Tyler Spezia, who will serve as the team's assistant captain.
As a unit, the Falcons return four players who tallied 20 or more points last season, and nine players who registered double-digit points.

>>RETURNING FROM A RECORD YEAR

With an overall record of 21-18-2, the Falcons marked its third consecutive 20+ win season and fourth straight winning season. Bowling Green had records of 22-14-6 in the 2015-16 campaign, following a 23-11-5 record in the 2014-15 season. Last year was the 21^st season that the Falcons have tallied a 20-plus win season.
The Falcons went on a seven-game win streak entering the WCHA Championship, the longest of Coach Bergeron's career and longest of the Bowling Green hockey team since the 1987-88 campaign; a year in which the team clinched its last conference title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
By competing in the WCHA Championship in March, it marked Bowling Green's first conference championship appearance since 1988.
The WCHA saw a total of nine hat tricks on the year, with Bowling Green accounting for four of those. Mitch McLain marked two on the year, posting the two three-goal performances in a three week span.
Leading the Falcons offensively was Mitch McLain. On the season, McLain earned a total of six conference awards (2x POTM, 3x POTW, All-WCHA First Team), in addition to being named a WCHA Scholar-Athlete and to WCHA All-Academic honors.
Bowling Green saw extensive time in the penalty box, and ranked ninth in the nation with a total of 631 minutes for 15.4 minutes per game. The Falcons were one of five WCHA schools in the top ten in the category.
Bowling Green accumulated 10 WCHA Players of the Week, three WCHA Players of the Month, WCHA Championship Third Star of the Game, NCAA Hockey No. 1 Star of the Week, No. 4 spot on SportCenter's Top 10 Plays of the Night over the course of the 2016-17 season.

>>ON THE MIC

All games this season can be heard on the radio by tuning into the Falcon Radio Network and can be heard globally on www.bgsufalcons.com and WBGUFM.com. Falcon Hockey play-by-play broadcaster Ryan Vallon will begin the pregame show 30 minutes prior to the opening face-off, and can also be heard on WTOD/WQQO-HD2 (Talk Radio 100.7) and WLQR-FM (106.5 The Ticket).

>>WCHA.tv

For as low as 60¢ per game for the 2017-18 season, Bowling Green hockey fans can watch all regular season home games as well as all Western Collegiate Hockey Association matchups live or on-demand with WCHA.tv – the Association's official online streaming platform. WCHA.tv provides fans with high-quality, HD broadcasts (when available from the originating arena) on multiple platforms, including – new for this season – TV-connected devices via custom apps on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV.
A WCHA.tv Season Pass would provide Bowling Green hockey fans 32 regular season games, including 14 of the team's 18 road matchups. It would also include all of the Falcons' action in the 2018 WCHA Playoffs. Bowling Green's first official WCHA.tv broadcast will be on Friday, Oct. 13 as the team hosts Michigan State at 7:37 p.m.

>>LIVE STATS

Live stats for all Bowling Green home games and road matchups are available on the BGSU website at BGSUFalcons.com. Navigate to the hockey schedule for links to all available ways to follow the action while the Falcons are both at home and on the road.

>>FOLLOW THE FALCONS

Twitter: @BGFalconHockey and @BGathletics
Instagram: @BGFalconHockey and @BGFalcons
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BGSUathletic
Snapchat: bgathletics
Ticketing Information: https://spark.adobe.com/page/1D4rbBUtBaXtr/

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