Falcons Win Game One Of Quarterfinals As Craggs Sets Program Record For Games Played

Friday, March 4

Bemidji, Minn.

8:07 PM

Bowling Green State University

15-17-3

RV Bemidji State

16-19-0

#6 Bowling Green

#3 Bemidji State

Photo by: Stephen Linsky, BGSU Athletics

Falcons Win Game One Of Quarterfinals As Craggs Sets Program Record For Games Played

March 04, 2022 | Ice Hockey

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Bowling Green gets goals from freshmen to beat Beavers in Mason Cup Playoffs opener

By: by David Dietrich, BGSU Strategic Communications

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The sixth-seeded Bowling Green Falcons (15-17-3, 11-14-1-2) defeated the third-seeded Bemidji State Beavers (16-19-0, 14-12-0-1) by a score of 2-1 in Game 1 of the CCHA Mason Cup Quarterfinals. Freshman Ryan O'Hara put the Falcons on the board in the first period, but the Beavers tied it minutes later with an Owen Sillinger score. Brayden Krieger's unassisted goal in the third period proved to be the game-winner, as the Falcons kept the puck out of the net for the rest of the contest.

The Orange and Brown withstood the frantic final three minutes, as BSU pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. The physicality between the teams increased, but the Falcons could not convert on multiple attempts at an empty-net score. Bemidji State's lone attempt was blocked by Gabriel Chicoine, giving Bowling Green a win in the series opener.

Senior forward Sam Craggs played his 179^th career game as a Falcon, setting a program record. The assistant captain assisted on the O'Hara goal and finished the game +1.

Scoring Plays

The Falcons struck first with an opening period goal by Ryan O'Hara. With just over five minutes left in the frame, T.J. Lloyd got a stick on the puck as the Beavers attempted to clear it along the boards. It skipped to Sam Craggs, who dumped it to O'Hara as he skated across the middle. The freshman's shot was deflected by a BSU defender, but it trickled past the goaltender for the game's opening goal. Craggs and Lloyd earned the assists.
A few minutes later, the Beavers evened the score. After a successful forecheck, Lukas Sillinger sent the puck toward the net. Alex Ierullo secured it at the left of the crease, then fed it to a diving Owen Sillinger for the goal. Ierullo and Lukas Sillinger were credited with the assists.
After a scoreless second period, Bowling Green took the lead shortly after the midpoint of the third period. Brayden Krieger intercepted a pass in the neutral zone, then fired a shot from the right side. Mattias Sholl stopped the first attempt, but Krieger collected the rebound and hit the back of the net for the unassisted, game-winning score.

Falcon Facts

Sam Craggs played the 179^th game of his Bowling Green Hockey career, setting a program record. He tallied his fifth assist of the year, giving him 12 points. The senior has 34 assists and 62 points in his career.
Brayden Krieger netted the first goal of his collegiate career, giving him six points. It was a game-winning goal, the fourth time a Falcon freshman has scored the game-winning goal.
Ryan O'Hara scored his fourth goal of the season. The freshman has eight points this year.
T.J. Lloyd notched his 12^th assist of the year, giving him 13 points. The junior has 34 assists and 38 points in his BGSU career, leading all active defensemen.
Christian Stoever spent the entire game in net, making 26 saves. Ten came in the final period, with six of those coming after the Falcons took the lead.

Ty's Take
"Tonight was a very competitive playoff hockey game. Both teams played very hard and we are really proud of our guys. They played for each other and stuck together, which is huge. Also, it was great to win on the night Sam Craggs became the all-time leader in games played in Falcon Hockey history!"

Up Next
Bowling Green and Bemidji State will meet on the ice at 7:07 p.m. ET for Game 2 of the CCHA Mason Cup Quarterfinals. If Bowling Green wins, the Falcons advance to the CCHA Semifinals. The game will be played on Saturday, March 12, with the location, opponent, and time to be determined when the Quarterfinals round concludes. If Bemidji State wins, the series will go to a third game, played at 6:07 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 6.

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