Falcons Drop Regular Season Finale To Lakers

Saturday, February 26

Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

6:07 PM

Bowling Green State University

14-17-3, 11-14-1

Lake Superior State

17-16-1, 13-13-0

Bowling Green

Lake Superior St.

Photo by: Luke Allen, BGSU Athletics

February 26, 2022 | Ice Hockey

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By: by David Dietrich, BGSU Strategic Communications

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Bowling Green Falcons (14-17-3, 11-14-1-2) dropped their 2021-22 regular season finale, 3-1, to the Lake Superior State Lakers (17-16-1, 13-13-0-1). The Lakers opened the scoring with Logan Jenuwine's fourth goal of the weekend, but the Falcons answered with a power play score from Nathan Burke. Brandon Puricelli's third period power play goal gave LSSU the lead, then Josh Nixon extended it with the game's final goal. With the loss, the Falcons finish sixth in the CCHA Regular Season standings. The Falcons will play third-seeded Bemidji State in the CCHA Quarterfinals. The Lakers will host Northern Michigan in the first round.

Scoring Plays

The Lakers scored halfway through the opening period, as Logan Jenuwine added to his stellar weekend. One night after tallying a hat trick, the junior scored LSSU's first goal. It was unassisted, as he intercepted a Bowling Green pass at the blue line and took it from right to left to beat the defense and goalie.
In the second period, the Falcons evened the score with a power play goal. Eric Parker's shot from the blue line rebounded to Nathan Burke, who fired it in from the right side. Parker and Alex Barber were credited with the assists.
Early in the third period, Lake Superior State regained the lead with a power play goal. Louis Boudon took the puck down to the left circle and passed it back to Miroslav Mucha. Mucha made a nifty cross-ice pass to Brandon Puricelli, who snapped a shot past a diving Christian Stoever. Boudon and Mucha earned the assists.
The Lakers extended the lead about ten minutes later, with Josh Nixon lighting the lamp. Brandon Puricelli brought the puck along the right boards and sent it to Jake Willets. Willets skated from the middle of the ice to the right of the crease. He made a nifty pass across the net to Nixon, who sent the puck in to extend the Laker lead.

Falcon Facts

Nathan Burke extended his team lead in goals (16) and power play goals (6). The senior has 23 points this season, with nine coming on the power play. In his collegiate career, the Hobey Baker Award nominee has 29 goals and 51 points.
Alex Barber tallied an assist for the second consecutive night, pushing his season total to 16 and career total to 51. The captain has 26 points this season and 86 in his career. He has nine assists and 13 points on the power play this season.
Eric Parker notched his 11^th assist of the year, giving him 12 points. It was the fourth power play assist of the season for the freshman.
Sam Craggs played in the 178^th game of his Bowling Green career, tying the program record held by Nelson Emerson and Greg Parks. Craggs can break the school record by playing in next weekend's CCHA Quarterfinals.
Christian Stoever spent 57:23 in net and made 12 saves.

Ty's Take
"This was not the way we wanted to end the regular season. Lake Superior was the better team this weekend and they earned home ice."

Up Next
Bowling Green will travel to Bemidji State for the CCHA Quarterfinals. The best-of-three series begins at 8:07 p.m. ET on Friday, March 4. The second game will start at 7:07 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 5. If necessary, the third game is scheduled for a 6:07 p.m. ET puck drop on Sunday, March 6. All games will be played in the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota.

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