Hockey Prepares to Host Ferris State for WCHA First Round Playoffs

Friday, March 2

Bowling Green, Ohio

8:07PM

Bowling Green State University

Ferris State

Hockey Prepares to Host Ferris State for WCHA First Round Playoffs

February 27, 2018 | Ice Hockey

By: Jenna Jorgensen (Assistant Director of Athletic Communications)

No. 17 Bowling Green Falcons (20-10-6, 17-6-5-2 WCHA)
vs.
Ferris State Bulldogs (14-21-1, 11-16-1-0 WCHA)

GAME INFORMATION	Friday, March 2, 8:07 p.m. ET Saturday, March 3, 7:07 p.m. ET Sunday, March 4, 7:07 p.m. ET (if necessary)
LOCATION	Bowling Green, Ohio (Slater Family Ice Arena)
RADIO	Falcon Radio Network (Ryan Vallon)
LIVE STATS	BGSUFalcons.com
LISTEN ONLINE	BGSUFalcons.com
GAME NOTES	Bowling Green
WATCH ONLINE	WCHA.tv

>>FALCONS ON TAP

The Bowling Green hockey program earned the No. 3 seed in the 2018 WCHA Playoffs, and will host No. 6 Ferris State in the First Round this weekend. The best-of-three series begins with an 8:07 p.m. puck drop on Friday, March 2, followed by a 7:07 p.m. start on Saturday, March 3. If necessary, the teams will face off in a 7:07 p.m. deciding game on Sunday, March 4.
To purchase tickets, click HERE.

>>FRIDAY'S PROMOTIONS

All season ticket holders and Falcon Club members are invited to a Chalk Talk session at 7:20 p.m. with assistant coach Barry Schutte, taking place in the Center Ice Lounge at the Slater Family Ice Arena.
Orange Out theme
Kraft Food Drive in conjunction with Kraft Hockeyville

>>SATURDAY'S PROMOTIONS

A postgame skate is free for all fans at the conclusion of the game. Skate rental will be available from the NewLove Pro Shop for $3.
Orange Out theme
Kraft Food Drive in conjunction with Kraft Hockeyville

>>SUNDAY'S PROMOTIONS (If Necessary)

Orange Out theme
Kraft Food Drive in conjunction with Kraft Hockeyville

>>VERSUS FERRIS STATE

All-time, the Falcons hold a 66-59-12 advantage over Ferris State.
Bowling Green handedly swept the Bulldogs in the First Round of the WCHA Playoffs last season at home by scores of 6-1 and 5-3 to win a best-of-three playoff series the last seven consecutive years, including all four as members of the WCHA. Bowling Green was also able to net four power play goals against Ferris State in Saturday's 5-3 victory, going 4-for-8 on the power play.
The Falcons have won 11 of the last 13 matchups against the Bulldogs, including a sweep on the road in Big Rapids, Mich. in January 2018 by scores of 6-3, and 3-0.
Friday's 6-3 victory for the Falcons was propelled by a four-goal third period. After gaining an early 2-0 lead, and falling behind 3-2 in the second, the Falcons rebounded with four unanswered goals for the 6-3 victory. Five Falcons earned multi-point nights including Cameron Wright (2G), Lukas Craggs (1G, 1A), Connor Ford (1G, 1A), Mitch McLain (2A), and John Schilling (2A), while with 44 shots on goal, 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. For a complete recap of the 6-3 win, click HERE.
The Falcons then completed its first conference sweep of the season by sealing a 3-0 shutout on Saturday night. Sophomore goaltender Ryan Bednard earned the Falcons first shutout of the season with a 27-save performance. 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. For a complete recap of the 3-0 victory, click HERE.

>>NATIONALLY RANKED

2nd: Alec Rauhauser – Defenseman Points per Game (0.97)
5th: Brandon Kruse – Freshman Points per Game (0.86)
T-10th: Stephen Baylis – Shorthanded Goals (2)
T-10th: Mitch McLain – Shorthanded Goals (2)
15th: Eric Dop – Winning Percentage (.643)
15th: Alec Rauhauser – Assists per Game (0.75)
16th: Ryan Bednard – Winning Percentage (.636)
T-16th: Cameron Wright – Freshman Points per Game (0.74)
T-17th: Max Johnson – Power Play Goals (7)
20th: Ryan Bednard – Goals Against Average (2.25)
22nd: Max Johnson – Freshman Points per Game (0.69)
T-26th: Frederic Letourneau – Game-Winning Goals (3)
T-26th: Connor Ford – Game-Winning Goals (3)
T-29th: Cameron Wright – Power Play Goals (6)
30th: Brandon Kruse – Assists per Game (0.69)
31st: Ryan Bednard – Save Percentage (.912)
31st: Eric Dop – Goals Against Average (2.52)
46th: Alec Rauhauser – Points per Game (0.97)
48th: Mitch McLain – Goals per Game (0.44)

>>ABOUT LAST WEEKEND

Last weekend the Falcons split the final series of the regular season at Alabama Huntsville, after dropping a 3-2 final on Friday, and rebounding for a 3-0 shutout on Saturday.
By assisting on both of the Falcons goals against the Chargers Friday night, junior Stephen Baylis recorded his fourth multi-point night of the season, and second in the last three 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 Saturday's shutout.
Between the pipes, sophomore goaltender Ryan Bednard registered his third career shutout and second of the season with a 23 save performance on Saturday evening. 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 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.
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).

>>STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

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.
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).
Of the Falcons 36 regular season games, a freshman has appeared on the box score with a point in 34 of them. Similarly, sophomore defenseman Alec Rauhauser has recorded a point in 25 of the 36 games on the season.
Of his 10 goals this season, freshman Max Johnson has scored a team-leading seven on the man advantage, while ranks 17th in the nation of all Division I players.
The Falcons remain undefeated when scoring four or more goals (11-0-0). Other notable records include a 15-1-5 mark when scoring first, 15-1-4 when leading after two periods, and an 12-1-2 record when holding its opponent scoreless on the power play.
With the opening goal in Friday's 7-2 win over Michigan Tech, senior Mitch McLain completed a career-long 10-game point streak, where he held 13 points (six goals, seven assists). McLain looks to join the 100 point club soon, as he carries 96 points in his 156 career games played after Alabama Huntsville.
One of sophomore goaltender Ryan Bednard's three career shutouts came against Ferris State in January. The Macomb, Mich. native marked 27 saves, including a game-high of 12 in the opening period of play. This past weekend at UAH, Bednard earned his third career shutout with 23 saves, marking the Falcons first shutout and road shutout since the 3-0 victory at Ferris state (Jan. 7).
With 44 shots on goal at Ferris State (Feb. 6), 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).
After scoring his team-leading sixth career shorthanded goal, senior Mitch McLain has officially joined the Bowling Green hockey record book and sits tied for fifth in program history.
Getting the Falcons on the board on Saturday night against UAA was junior Chris Pohlkamp as he scored his second career goal and first since Oct. 31, 2015. Pohlkamp is the 18th different player to score a goal for the Falcons during the 2017-18 season, while both of his career goals have come against the Seawolves.
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.
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).
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: 156 games played, 51 goals – 45 assists – 96 points
Senior Tyler Spezia: 142 games played, 34 goals – 36 assists – 70 points
Senior Brett D'Andrea: 126 games played, 22 goals – 28 assists – 50 points
Junior Connor McDonald: 115 games played, 6 goals – 18 assists – 24 points
Junior Stephen Baylis: 110 games played, 21 goals – 40 assists – 61 points
Junior John Schilling: 105 games played, 12 goals – 19 assists – 31 points
Junior Chris Pohlkamp: 99 games played, 2 goals – 22 assists – 24 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. Most recently, Rauhauser picked up his second career WCHA Defenseman of the Month accolade after tallying 14 points in January's 10 games played.
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 went on a career-best six-game point streak this season (Dec. 9-Jan. 7), a span in which he has tallied two goals and six assists for eight points. Rauhauser has also only been held off the box score in 11 of the Falcons 36 games this season.
Last month against Alaska Anchorage, Rauhauser matched his career-high three-point night when he earned a trio of assists in the 6-2 victory on Friday night.
On the season, Rauhauser averages 0.97 points per game, which sits second the nation for all defensemen, as well as first overall in the WCHA. The Bismarck, N.D. native has 35 points through 36 games played by eight goals and 27 assists.

>>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