No. 12 Falcons Take Game One Against No. 3 Minnesota State

Friday, December 14

Bowling Green, Ohio

7:37 PM

Bowling Green State University

Minnesota State

Photo by: Brad Phalin, BGSU Marketing and Communications

December 14, 2018 | Ice Hockey

Box Score

By: by Kyle Edmond, BGSU Athletics

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The No. 12 ranked Bowling Green State University hockey team defeated the No. 3 ranked Minnesota State Mavericks by a final score of four to one on Friday (Dec. 14) night. The Mavericks would get on the board first before the Falcons would roar back to score three unanswered power play goals. Two of these goals were off the stick and side of Connor Ford who led the way for Bowling Green. Brandon Kruse would join Ford scoring on a power play between his two. Stephen Baylis would add an empty net goal to seal it for the Falcons. The Falcons hand Minnesota State just their third loss of the 2018-19 season do far, and just their their second in the WCHA. Bowling Green's win brings the WCHA standings to a close showdown for first place with just three points separating the Falcons and Mavericks, with Michigan Tech stuck between them. Bowling Green will play game two of these series on Saturday (Dec. 14) night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:07 pm.

Box Score (PDF)

Photo Gallery

Scoring Plays

Minnesota State found the back of the net first with a goal from Josh French. He was assisted by Dallas Gerads. This at 11:17 into the first period.
At 9:36 into the second period, the Falcons capitalized on a power play to tie the game at one. Connor Ford was the one to put it through with assists coming from Cameron Wright and Alec Rauhauser.
Brandon Kruse broke the tie at 4:27 into the third period with a power play goal, getting it past Minnesota State goaltender Dryden McKay. Max Johnson and Alec Rauhauser were credited with assists.
The Falcons extended their lead with another power play goal from Connor Ford, his second of the night. This at 9:20 into the third period. He was assisted by Brandon Kruse and Max Johnson.
With just 1:33 left, Stephen Baylis shot the puck into an empty net to extend the lead to 4-1. He was unassisted on the play.

Other Key Plays

The Falcons were successful in the first period, surviving three full Minnesota State power plays unscathed.
A scuffle on the ice in the second period changed the pace of the game. Nick Rivera for Minnesota State had to leave the ice due to blood, while three other players, two Falcons and one Maverick, were sent to the penalty box.
Bowling Green continued to dominate penalty play, negating seven Minnesota State power plays on the night. In addition, the Falcons took advantage of their opportunities, coming away with three power play goals.

Falcon Stat Facts

Connor Ford's first power play goal was the 19th power play goal on the season for Bowling Green. By the end of the night, BGSU raised their total for power play goals to 21. For Ford, his two were his fifth and sixth power play goals of the year and eighth overall. He is now tied with Max Johnson for the team lead in the category.
On Ford's goal, Alec Rauhauser became the third Falcon to register double-digit assists so far this season. The others are Brandon Kruse (18, one on the night) and Max Johnson (13, two on the night). Rauhauser brought his total to 11 with another assist coming on Kruse's goal.
Brandon Kruse's goal was his sixth of the season and his first of two points for the Falcons, bringing his season total, and team lead, to 24.
With two goals in the game, Connor Ford had his second multi-goal game of the season. He also scored twice against Alaska Anchorage on Nov. 10.
Ryan Bednard hauled in 26 saves for the second time this season. He has tallied more only twice this year, with 31 and 34 against Ohio State and Western Michigan, respectively. His other 26 save game was against Alabama Huntsville.

Post Game Interviews

Coach Bergeron

Connor Ford

Up Next

The Falcons will take on the Mavericks for game two on Sat., Dec. 15 with a scheduled puck drop of 7:07 p.m. In addition, it will be "Scout Night" at Slater Family Ice Arena. This will be the second and final matchup between the ranked opponents for the 2018-19 regular season. Following this series, BGSU will remain at home for an exhibition against Windsor on Sun., Dec. 30. Bowling Green last faced Windsor to start the 2016 season, in a game that was also an exhibition where the Falcons ended on top, 3-2.

Follow the Falcons

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