Eric Dop Earns Second Career Shutout As Falcons Blank The Nanooks 2-0

Saturday, January 19

Fairbanks, Alaska

11:07 PM

Bowling Green State University

16-6-3, 11-5-2-2WCHA

Alaska

6-16-2, 6-11-1-1WCHA

Bowling Green

Alaska Fairbanks

Photo by: Paul McCarthy, UAF

Eric Dop Earns Second Career Shutout As Falcons Blank The Nanooks 2-0

January 20, 2019 | Ice Hockey

Box Score

By: By Kellan Godfrey, BGSU Athletic Communications

FAIRBANKS, Alaska. – The No. 9 ranked Bowling Green State University hockey team split their two game series with the University of Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday (Jan. 19) night, shutting out the Nanooks by a final score of two to zero. The Falcons scored twice on 34 shots on goal. Sophomore goaltender Eric Dop turned away 31 shots on route to his second career shutout, as well as the first regulation shutout victory of his career with the Orange and Brown. Max Johnson would get the Falcons on the scoreboard in the first period as Dop's excellent goaltending would hold strong throughout. Brandon Kruse would add an empty net goal to seal it for the Falcons. Bowling Green will return home to host the Bulldogs of Ferris State University next weekend (Jan. 25-26) in Slater Family Ice Arena. This will be the second regular season series meeting between the two schools, as the Falcons traveled to Big Rapids in December.

Box Score (PDF)

Scoring Plays

Max Johnson would open the scoring for Bowling Green as he took a shot from the bottom of the right wing circle that found its way in 2:56 into the first period. He was assisted by Brandon Kruse and Connor McDonald.
Bowling Green would score the only other goal of the contest as Brandon Kruse would score an empty net goal with 35 seconds left in the game. Stephen Baylis would get the assist on Kruse's goal.

Other Key Plays

The Falcons would receive a five minute major and game misconduct in the closing seconds of the first period. An ensuing two minute minor on Alaska's Tyler Cline would cause four minutes of four-on-four hockey to begin the second period before the Falcons would kill off the remaining three minutes of the five minute major. Neither squad would score in the second period.
A large scrum in the third period following a hard check would result in a number of penalties on both squads. Ultimately A game misconduct would be given to both teams along with a number of minors. Bowling Green would kill off the resulting penalty.

Falcon Stat Facts

Eric Dop's 31 save shutout in Saturday's (Jan. 19) win is the second shutout of his season and career. This is also his first shutout victory as Dop's first shutout was a 33 save performance versus Alaska Anchorage as the Falcons tied the Seawolves at zero all. Eric Dop's record moves to 4-2-1 in seven starts this season.
Brandon Kruse tallied multi-point game number 15 for his career in Saturday (Jan. 19) night's win. He recorded assist number 20 on the year thus far and matched his total goals from a year ago with eight. The Hobey Baker nominee now has 28 points on the season.
Max Johnson scored his tenth goal of the 2018-19 campaign in Saturday's (Jan. 19) win. His 25 points on the season are second best on the Falcons' roster.
Bowling Green's win over Alaska Fairbanks has moved them back into second place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings with 37 points. They are just five points behind Minnesota State who sit in first place with 42 points. BGSU will continue to try to close that gap next week in a home conference series with Ferris State.

Coach Bergeron's Take

Keys to tonight's victory, "It was more goaltending than it was penalty killing. Our penalty kill was better than it was last night, but Eric Dop played really well. It was not pretty for sure, but we found a way. We'll take the three points up here for sure."
On adjusting lines mid-game, "Obviously you have to reshuffle. Its usually 12 forwards, now you're down to 10. It's something we've been through before, not necessarily this year. But I thought our guys did a nice job, they got less rest and found a way."
Thoughts going into the next series, "We have to rest, and hopefully we're going to get healthy. We're going to get some guys back, and get ready for Ferris. They're fighting for a playoff spot and it's going to be a very difficult series, but it'll be nice to be back home."

Up Next

The Orange and Brown return to home ice next weekend to host Ferris State University (Jan. 25-26). It will be the second regular season series meeting between the Falcons and Bulldogs, as BGSU traveled to Big Rapids in December.

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.