Falcons, Buckeyes Set For Home-and-Home Series

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Bowling Green Falcons (8-10-0, 7-7-0 CCHA) resume non-conference competition with a home-and-home series with the No. 14 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-7-1, 5-5-0 Big Ten). The series begins in Slater Family Ice Arena at 7:07 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 16. The action moves to Columbus the following night, as the teams are set to face off at 7 p.m. ET in Value City Arena on Dec. 17.

How to Follow
Friday's game will stream on FloHockey, found HERE. Saturday's game will stream on the Big Ten Network Plus, found HERE. Subscription is required for both streaming services. Both games will be broadcast on 88.1 FM by BGRSO, which can be found online HERE. Use the WBGU Listen Now link, which is found on the right side of the desktop site and the bottom of the mobile site. Live stats for Friday's game are available HERE. Live stats for Saturday's game are available HERE. The games will also have live updates on Bowling Green Hockey's official Twitter page, @BGFalconHockey.

Ticket, Attendance, and Parking Information
There are less than 500 tickets available for Friday's game. Tickets can be purchased HERE. Parking for Friday's game can be purchased HERE. Due to the anticipation of a large crowd, fans are encouraged to purchase tickets and parking before arriving. Parking at Slater Family Ice Arena is limited and will be first come, first serve. Overflow parking is located at the Perry Field House lot. Friday's game will be an Orange Out, fans are encouraged to wear orange in support of the Falcons. Certain orange items in the Newlove Pro Shop will be available for a discounted price. For tickets to Saturday's game at Ohio State, click HERE. Parking is first come, first serve, and is available in various lots around Value City Arena.

Falcon Facts

Christian Stoever made a career-high 43 saves in Friday's loss to No. 16 Minnesota State. The sophomore currently leads the CCHA in total saves (448) and saves per game (32), and he ranks third in the conference with a .920 save percentage. His save total is eighth in the NCAA and he is the only player in the country to make over 400 saves in fewer than 15 appearances.
Bowling Green ranks second in the conference in power play percentage (24.6) and penalty kill percentage (83.6). Nathan Burke and Ethan Scardina share the team lead at four power play goals apiece, tying for second in the conference. The Falcons rank 14^th in the nation in power play percentage and 17^th in the nation in penalty kill percentage, making them one of just six teams in the country to rank in the top 17 of both categories.
Austen Swankler has tallied a point in nine consecutive games, totaling five goals and eight assists for 13 points in this stretch. He currently leads the Falcons in goals (10), assists (10), points (10), and power play points (8).
Also riding a scoring streak is Nathan Burke, who had scored in the last seven games. During this span, he has totaled six goals and four assists for 10 points, including three power play goals. He leads the Orange and Brown in plus/minus at +4. Zach Vinnell is also on a scoring streak, tallying an assist in each of the last three games. He and Max Coyle share the team lead for defensemen points (8).

Opponent Outlook
The Buckeyes have split their last three series, including a pair of home games against No. 20 Notre Dame and a road tilt with No. 6 Penn State. Ohio State was idle last weekend, their first weekend off since Nov. 4-5. That bye week came after a series split with No. 1 Minnesota and preceded a series that saw the Buckeyes get swept by Michigan State. The Buckeyes boast the nation's top penalty kill unit, allowing just six power play goals in 73 chances (91.8 percent). Sophomore Jakub Dobes, the reigning Big Ten Goaltender and co-Freshman of the Year, has been solid in net once again. He has been the goalie of record in all 18 games this season, earning a shutout against UConn on Oct. 14. Offensively, Jake Wise paces Ohio State in goals (7) and points (18). Mason Lohrei leads them in assists (13), while Wise and Travis Treloar share the top spot in power play goals (4).

Series Info
Bowling Green has a 94-75-9 lead in the all-time series. Last season, Ohio State won both games by one goal. In the series opener, they came from behind to win 4-3 in overtime. They took a 3-2 victory in the second game, a physical affair that saw the teams combine for 77 penalty minutes.

Gary Kruzich Jersey Auction
Starting on Friday, Dec. 16, fans have a chance to own a piece of Falcon Hockey history. Gary Kruzich's framed game-worn jersey from the 1984 National Championship game will be open to bids in a silent auction. The frame includes the jersey, as well as an autographed team photo. Bids can be placed at the marketing table, located at the southeast corner of the rink. Bids can be made at each home game between Friday, Dec. 16, and Saturday, Jan. 7. The winner will be announced on Jan. 7.

Chalk Talk
On Friday, Dec. 16, Falcon Club members and season ticket holders are invited to a Chalk Talk with assistant coach Stavros Paskaris. The talk will begin at 6:15 p.m. in the Slater Family Ice Arena Center Ice Lounge.

Ty's Take
"I'm sure both programs are excited about the opportunity and hope that their teams come out and play well on Friday. We know they're good. Their penalty kill is one of the best in the country, their goaltending is good, so it'll be a challenge."

Coach Eigner's full press conference from Dec. 13 can be found HERE.

Up Next
Bowling Green has a weekend off before closing 2022 with a home series against RPI. The Falcons and Engineers face off at 7:07 p.m. ET on Dec. 29-30.

Follow the Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons hockey team on social media
Twitter - @BGAthletics and @BGFalconHockey
Instagram - 'bgfalcons' and 'bgfalconhockey'
Facebook - 'BGSU Athletics'
YouTube - 'Falcon Athletics'

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Nathan Burke

Max Coyle

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