Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
16-9-6, 13-7-3
Minnesota State
17-9-5, 13-7-3
Game of Runs Falls in Favor of the No. 17 Minnesota State Mavericks on Friday Night, 5-4
February 20, 2026 | Ice Hockey
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Bowling Green Falcons (16-9-6, 13-7-3 CCHA) jumped out to an early 3-1 lead but eventually fell to the No. 17 Minnesota State Mavericks (17-9-5, 13-7-3 CCHA) in a game of runs on Friday night, 5-4, inside Slater Family Ice Arena.
The Mavericks picked up three key CCHA points in the standings, overtaking BGSU for fourth place.
Minnesota State broke a 4-4 tie when Jakob Stender ripped a breakaway shot past Cole Moore with 2:05 to play, which came 4:20 after Brandon Whynott tied the game, 4-4.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Mavericks took an early 1-0 lead 7:37 into the game after a blocked shot in front kicked right to Sawyer Scholl, who quickly beat Cole Moore after the carom bounced Minnesota State's way.
• Tyler Hotson responded 1:06 later at the crease via a nifty pass from Max Martin, who received it from Jackson Niedermayer, to tie the game, 1-1.
• The Falcons took a 2-1 lead with 4:31 left in the first period when Martin scored in transition after Brayden Crampton cleared the puck from behind the BGSU goal and found Gustav Stjernberg, who then sent the puck across the ice to Martin just before the blue line.
• BGSU extended its lead to 3-1 with 3:06 left in the first period when, in its own defensive zone, the Mavericks sent the puck around the cage off a faceoff win. It was picked up by Brody Waters, who flipped the puck to Jeremie Minville, and he scored in transition on a one-on-one opportunity against MSU's Alex Tracy.
• Minnesota State went on a 3-0 run in the second period to take a 4-3 lead into the final frame.
• BGSU tied the game on a Brandon Whynott equalizer with 6:25 left to play. Jake Sloan found Whynott, and Breck McKinley was credited with the second assist.
He is Just So HOT-son RIGHT NOW 😤
— BGSU Hockey (@BGSUHKY) February 21, 2026
Tyler Hotson responds quickly with the equalizer!!!
🍎 Max Martin
🍎🍎 Jackson Niedermayer
🖥️: https://t.co/d65d1ItNIU pic.twitter.com/TgqWJVUamF
FALCON NOTES
• Tyler Hotson scored the Falcons' first goal, giving him goals in three straight games. He entered the game leading BGSU in goals scored (10).
• Breck McKinley has an assist in four straight games. He entered the weekend leading the nation's defensemen in assists.
• Max Martin tied his career high with two points on one goal and one assist.
FROM THE LOCKER ROOM
"We felt good getting those goals early. I thought we really did a nice job to start, and then they did a really nice job. In those last four to five minutes in the first period, we ratcheted up the scoring on our opportunities. But unfortunately, it is not a 20-minute game. It has to be a lesson for us. This time of year special teams has to be good. They were 1-of-2 and we were 0-of-2. When you only get a couple opportunities that could be the difference." - Dennis Williams, BGSU Ice Hockey Head Coach
NEXT UP
• BGSU concludes the series with Minnesota State on Saturday night. Puck drop is at 6:07 p.m. It is Senior Night and the SICSIC reveal.
