Nine Falcons earn points in 5-0 shutout of Chargers

Huntsville, AL – A tough loss Friday for the Falcons was followed up with an excellent all-around effort Saturday. The Falcons shutout Alabama-Huntsville 5-0, giving Head Coach Chris Bergeron his 100th win at Bowling Green.

Chris Nell got the start in net for the Falcons, stopping all 24 shots faced. Nell is the new record holder for most shoutouts in a season (4), and ties Tyler Masters, Andrew Hammond, and Tommy Burke for most all-time (7).

Carmine Guerriero started for the Chargers and stopped 31 of 36 Falcon  attempts.

First Period

Brett D’Andrea got the Falcons on board at 12:00 of the first period while on the power play. The sophomore forward was parked just outside the crease and re-directed a centering pass by Mark Cooper from the boards. The goal was D’Andrea’s fourth of the season.

The Falcons finished the first period with eight shots on Guerriero. The Chargers had no goals from nine shots on Nell.

Second Period

John Schilling pushed the Falcon lead to 2-0 at 6:54 of the second period. Tyler Spezia passed the puck to Schilling who got an initial shot on Guerriero. The rebound would get knocked home, though, for Schilling’s fifth goal of the season.

Bowling Green pushed the lead to to 3-0 as Stephen Baylis sniped a shot high from the slot. He had picked up a loose puck from Brandon Hawkins. The goal was Baylis’ seventh of the season.

The Falcons finished the second period with eight shots on Guerriero, scoring on six of those attempts. The Chargers had nine shots on Nell, all saved.

Third Period

The Falcons pushed their lead to 4-0 at 7:10 of the third period. Bowling Green broke out in a three-on-two rush. Stephen Baylis had an initial shot on on Guerriero, but Brandon Hawkins knocked home the rebound for his second goal of the season and 12th of the season.

Bowling Green scored their fifth goal at 14:16 of the third period. While on the power play Mark Friedman fired a shot from the point that deflected in front. Stephen Baylis scored his second goal of the game as he managed to flip the puck high, his eighth goal of the season. The goal would be the final marker of the game as the Falcons took a 5-0 win.

Bowling Green finished the period with 20 shots on Guerriero. Alabama-Huntsville managed just six shots against Nell, sealing the shutout.

The third-seeded Falcons (20-12-6, 16-7-5) will welcome the six-seeded Bemidji State Beavers to the BGSU Ice Arena next weekend for their WCHA Quarterfinal match-up. The Chargers’ (7-21-6, 5-17-6) season is over, as they didn’t qualify for the postseason.