Hockey Forces Third Game In WCHA Semifinals With 1-0 Victory

Saturday, March 10

Marquette, Mich.

7:07PM

Bowling Green State University

23-11-6, 17-6-5-2

Northern Michigan

24-14-3, 19-7-2-2

Bowling Green

Northern Mich.

March 10, 2018 | Ice Hockey

Box Score

By: Jenna Jorgensen (Assistant Director of Athletic Communications)

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Bowling Green hockey program (23-11-6, 17-6-5-2 WCHA) has forced a third game in the WCHA Semifinals against Northern Michigan (24-14-3, 19-7-2-2 WCHA) behind a 23-save shutout performance by sophomore goaltender Ryan Bednard. A decisive power play goal in the opening minutes of the third period by freshman Connor Ford helped the Falcons season stay alive into the final game of the best-of-three series with a 1-0 win over the Wildcats.

Box Score
Ford Goal Call 1-0
Final Score Call

Scoring Play

Period 3 | 3:05 – While the Falcons were on its fourth power play of the night, freshman Connor Ford broke a 0-0 stalemate as he was able to punch the puck past the goal line on a second rebound attempt after shots by freshman Cameron Wright and junior John Schilling.

Statistical Standouts

A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Ford's team-leading fourth game-winning goal of the season marked his third point in the last five games. On the season, the Falcons remain undefeated when the rookie scores, posting an 8-0-0 record on the year, in addition to a 14-0-1 mark when he appears on the score sheet with a point.
Standing out between the pipes was sophomore goaltender Ryan Bednard. Hitting a hot streak, the Macomb, Mich. native recorded his third shutout since the New Year, and second in his last five starts. The 23 saves included a game-high of nine in the opening period of play, while the netminder was steadfast in the final 10:00 of action to keep the Falcons ahead for the victory.
With the assist on the game-winner, fellow freshman Cameron Wright has also notched three points in the last five games.
Overall, Northern Michigan narrowly outshot the Falcons 23-20, while senior captain Mitch McLain led the Bowling Green squad with four shots on net.
Defensively, the Falcons registered 14 blocked shots, and held its opponent scoreless on their three power plays on the night. Bowling Green is now 13-1-2 on the year when holding its opponent scoreless on the power play.
Ford's power play tally helped the Falcons go 1-for-5 with the man advantage on the night.

Coach Bergeron's Take

"I thought we had positive energy, but I think it was nervous energy heading into the third period tied 0-0. There was some nervous energy, but there was energy. After how last night ended, we'll take any energy and as the game went on, it seemed to go more and more in our favor."
"This group has found a way to win before, whether it has been this specific team, or these seniors. I think that "not going to be denied" mentality showed itself a bit. We knew we were playing much better, and the guys seemed to feed off of that. It was a pretty even game and there wasn't a lot of room either way, but I feel like we were way more competitive tonight and way more ready to play.
"Yesterday wasn't something we necessarily built a whole lot of momentum from, but we were building off of it because we have now played in this arena four times this year and we just haven't played well, and tonight I think is the best game we have played up here."

Up Next

A decisive game three in the best-of-three playoff series will be held tomorrow night in a 7:07 p.m. puck drop from the Berry Events Center. With a victory, the Falcons will look to advance to its second consecutive WCHA Championship next Saturday, March 17.
Previously, the Falcons have won all three best-of-three playoff series against Northern Michigan under Coach Bergeron. While the Falcons picked up the sweep with two wins at home in 2014-15, Bowling Green rebounded from first game losses to advance in both the 2010-11 and 2011-12 campaigns and will look to do the same Sunday evening.

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.