Falcons Shutout UAH for Fourth Consecutive 20-Win Season

Saturday, February 24

Huntsville, Ala.

4:07PM

Bowling Green State University

20-10-6, 17-6-5WCHA

Alabama Huntsville

11-21-2,10-16-2WCHA

Bowling Green

Alabama Huntsville

February 24, 2018 | Ice Hockey

Box Score

By: Jenna Jorgensen (Assistant Director of Athletic Communications)

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Behind a 23 save performance by sophomore goaltender Ryan Bednard, the Bowling Green hockey program (20-10-6, 17-6-5-2 WCHA) was able to earn a 3-0 shutout at Alabama Huntsville (11-21-2, 10-16-2-1 WCHA) Saturday afternoon. With the victory, the Flacons posted its fourth consecutive 20+ win season, the third longest streak in program history.

Box Score
Ford Goal Call 1-0
D'Andrea Goal Call 2-0
McLain Goal Call 3-0
Final Score Call

Scoring Plays

Period 1 | 09:49 – After a quiet start to the game, freshman Connor Ford was able to capitalize on a bounce and fired the puck through traffic to put the Falcons up 1-0 midway through the period. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native's seventh of the season was assisted by junior Chris Pohlkamp and sophomore Lukas Craggs.
Period 1 | 15:35 – Rolling with the momentum, the Falcons' offense was pressuring the UAH zone when senior Brett D'Andrea was fed a pass from behind the net and his shot in the slot put the Falcons up 2-0. D'Andrea's eighth of the season was assisted by freshman Cameron Wright and junior Stephen Baylis to increase the Falcons lead.
Period 2 | 00:55 – While on its first of three power play chances of the night, the Falcons' possession of the puck was passed across the blue line from sophomore Alec Rauhauser to freshman Brandon Kruse. The rookie then sent it down to senior captain Mitch McLain, and he was ready to sneak the puck through the five hole for his second goal of the weekend to put the Falcons up 3-0.

Statistical Standouts

Four Falcons continue point streaks, including freshman Brandon Kruse (four games), junior Stephen Baylis (two games), sophomore Alec Rauhauser (two games) and senior Mitch McLain (two games).
While on their two-game point streaks, Baylis has recorded a trio of assists against UAH, while McLain scored in back-to-back games against the Chargers.
In search of 100 career points, senior Mitch McLain claimed his 96th in his career with his power play goal against the Chargers. A native of Baxter, Minn., the Captain has hit a hot streak through the second half, and has now tallied 16 points in the last 15 games, and led the Falcons with four shots on goal in tonight's shutout.
Between the pipes, sophomore goaltender Ryan Bednard registered his third career shutout and second of the season with a 23 save performance. The native of Macomb, Mich. stopped a game-high of 11 shots in the opening period of play, and now improves to a 12-6-4 record on the year.
Saturday's game also featured lots of good omen records, including when scoring first (15-1-5), when leading after the first period (7-1-2), when Connor Ford scores a goal (7-0-0) and when Lukas Craggs tallies a point (11-0-1).
The box score featured a total of nine different Falcons on the night's three goals.
Overall, the Falcons outshot Alabama Huntsville 31-23 and went 1-for-3 on the power play. Additionally, the Falcons burned all three of its penalty kills, which included 1:10 of 5x3 that they burned successfully.
With its 20-10-6 overall record, it marks the fourth consecutive season that the Falcons have reached the 20-win milestone, making them one of just three programs in the nation to do so in the last four years (Providence, Minnesota State). The four-year stint is also the third longest in program history, behind a nine season, and six season stretch.

Coach Bergeron's Take

"I think the way we started was the biggest difference between last night and tonight. We scored a couple goals in the first tonight, where last night I thought we had ample chances and didn't score. So getting off to that start was huge. Overall, I thought we were better around their net. We made a couple of really good plays around their net and that made the difference."
"I think there were lots of positives to this game, and it's really big. You always want to win, and with Ryan Bednard getting the shutout, there are lots of positives. You feel good when you win, so this is great to have heading into the playoffs."

Up Next

The Bowling Green hockey program has clinched home ice for the First Round of the WCHA Playoffs, and will begin postseason action at home next weekend March 2-4. While the Falcons are seeded No. 3, its opponent is yet to be determined based on the results of the final regular season games, but keep an eye on the hockey schedule for continued updates.

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.