Gresock Reaches 100 Career Points in BGSU Loss to No. 12 MTU

HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Bowling Green Falcons (15-15-2, 12-10-2 CCHA) dropped a hard-fought Saturday (Feb. 11) showdown to the No. 12 Michigan Tech Huskies (21-8-4, 14-6-4 CCHA) by a score of 4-2. Austen Swankler recorded a power play goal to open the scoring, marking his 40^th point of the year. The primary assist was earned by Chase Gresock, giving him 100 career points. The Huskies scored the next three goals and held that lead until Nathan Burke's third period score, which came while the Falcons had the extra attacker. It was also assisted by Gresock. MTU added an empty net goal to clinch the victory and move into first place in the CCHA standings.

Scoring Plays

The Falcons struck first, scoring a power play goal just past the midpoint of the opening frame. Ben Wozney made a diagonal pass to Austen Swankler, who was positioned in the right circle. It was tipped by a Michigan Tech skater, but it deflected to Chase Gresock at the blue line. He passed it back to Swankler at the right circle. The sophomore hesitated to freeze a defender, then ripped a shot by Blake Pietila's glove for the game's first goal.
Michigan Tech answered with a goal from Kyle Kukkonen, his third of the weekend. Pressured by the Falcon forecheck, Jake Crespi dumped it back to Jed Pietila, who was waiting behind his own net. Pietila skated up the ice and sent the puck flying into the neutral zone. A leaping Zach Vinnell got a piece of it, but Kukkonen raced in to collect it and attack the right side. His wrist shot from the left edge of the right circle snuck by Stoever's stick side for the tying score.
The Huskies took the lead in the second with a power play goal of their own. Ryland Mosley brought the puck into the zone, then passed it to Tristan Ashbrook on the left. He skated along the boards and moved it back up the zone to Brett Thorne. He fired from the blue line, with Mosley standing in front of the crease to redirect it for the go-ahead goal.
Less than three minutes later, MTU extended the lead. Thorne was able to keep a clearing attempt in the zone and sent the puck in from the right side. A redirect attempt from Jack Works was saved, but the puck skipped through traffic and onto the stick of Ashbrook. He knocked it into the open net from the left side to make it 3-1.
With less than two minutes to play, Bowling Green scored with the extra attacker. Nathan Burke skated around the net and fed the puck up the slot, but it trickled to the top of the zone. Chase Gresock collected it and traded passes with Zach Vinnell before swinging it back at the net. Nathan Burke redirected it off the crossbar and into the net to trim the deficit to one.
MTU secured the win with an empty net goal. A faceoff in the Falcon offensive zone saw the puck escape the possession of BGSU, then Kukkonen scooped it up at the red line and sent it into the empty net for the unassisted score, his fourth of the weekend.

Falcon Facts

Chase Gresock tallied two assists, with the first marking his 100^th career point. The fifth-year senior becomes the 77^th player in BGSU history to record 100 points, joining teammates Alex Barber and Taylor Schneider, who reached the mark this season. The Falcons are the only team in the NCAA with three active 100-point scorers. Gresock is the eighth player to score his 100^th point under Head Coach Ty Eigner.
Gresock played three seasons at Merrimack (26G-28A—54P) and one season at Miami (9G-10A—19P) prior to this season. This year, he has 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points, ranking second on the team in assists and points. He has a career line of 45G-56A—101P through 131 games, being one of 16 active D-I players with 100 or more points.
Tonight was Gresock's sixth multi-point game of the year and fourth with two assists. He is riding a five game scoring streak, totaling three goals and four assists for seven points in this stretch.
Austen Swankler scored his fourth power play goal of the season, extending his season goal total to a team-high 17. He has 40 points this season, which currently leads the CCHA and ranks third in the NCAA. He is the first Falcon to reach 40 points in one season since Max Johnson registered 43 in 2018-19, a total he reached in 41 games. Swankler has reached his total in 31 games and has a career line of 25G-41A—66P. He has a team-best 16 points on the power play this season. Swankler is a nominee for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, fan voting is still open HERE.
Nathan Burke scored his 16^th goal of the season, matching his total from the 2021-22 campaign. The senior has 26 points this year and 49 in his BGSU career, which has spanned 69 games. In his collegiate career, he has 45 goals and 77 points in 153 games. He has scored in three consecutive games, tallying three goals and one assist.
Ryan O'Hara notched his 17^th assist of the season, giving him 28 points, which ties Gresock for second on the team. The sophomore has 21 assists and 36 points in his 65-game career. He is riding a three-game scoring streak, having one goal and two assists in this stretch.
Zach Vinnell registered an assist for the third consecutive game, putting him at 15 assists and 16 points on the season. He leads all Falcon defensemen in assists and points. In his career, the senior has 40 assists and 49 points in 117 games.
Taylor Schneider played his 178^th career game, tying Nelson Emerson and Greg Parks for second in program history. He trails only former teammate Sam Craggs, who played 181 games.
Christian Stoever spent 58:54 in net and made 24 saves, putting his season save total at 802. This number is first in the CCHA and fifth in the NCAA.
The Falcons outscored the Huskies in the series, 7-6, to earn the MacInnes Trophy, named for long-time Michigan Tech head coach John MacInnes. He served as head coach for the Huskies form 1956-82, compiling a 555-295-39 record and winning three national championships.

Up Next
The Falcons have a weekend off before closing the regular season at home against Northern Michigan. The series will be played on Feb. 24-25, with both games starting at 7:07 p.m. in Slater Family Ice Arena. Friday's game will be Senior Night, tickets can be purchased HERE and parking can be purchased HERE. Saturday is Scott Hamilton Bobblehead Night and the SICSIC Reveal, tickets can be purchased HERE and parking can be purchased HERE.

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Chase Gresock

Austen Swankler

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Ryan O'Hara

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Alex Barber

Nathan Burke

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Chase Gresock

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Taylor Schneider

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Ben Wozney

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