Bowling Green, OH – The #8 Falcons picked up their seventh sweep of the season Saturday as they handled the #18 Michigan Tech Huskies 5-2.
Blake Pietila started in net for the Huskies, stopping 35 of 39 chances. Zack Rose turned aside 15 of 17 chances for the Falcons.
First Period
The Huskies opened the game’s scoring at 2:18 of the opening period. Tristan Ashbrook re-directed a pass by Colin Swoyer from the far boards to give the Huskies an early 1-0 lead.
Bowling Green responded with a goal of their own at 12:57. Cam Wright’s shot on net was tipped by Alex Barber to tie the score at 1-1. Taylor Schneider had the second assist on the play.
Michigan Tech re-took the lead at 18:36 when Alec Broetzman knocked home a rebound on the power play to give the Huskies a 2-1 lead.
The Falcons outshot the Huskies 11-8 in the opening period.
Second Period
Bowling Green once again pushed the game to a tie at 15:37 of the second period. While skating on the power play Cam Wright sent an initial shot on net that was saved. His rebound came to Alex Barber who also had a shot saved by Pietila. But, it was the Michigan Tech transfer who would bury the chance against his former team. The goal was Gould’s third of the season.
The Falcons took their first lead of the game at 17:37. Justin Wells shot from the point was re-directed in front by Alex Barber, scoring his second goal of the night and eighth of the season.
The Huskies were outshot in the middle frame 20-6.
Third Period
Bowling Green extended their lead to 4-2 at 10:46 of the final period. While skating on the penalty kill, Carson Musser forced a turnover just inside the Falcons’ zone. His clearing attempt was collected by Sam Craggs who skated in on a two-on-one rush, burying a shot for his second goal of the season.
Connor Ford netted a empty-net goal at 18:06 to give the Falcons the 5-2 win.
Bowling Green outshot Michigan Tech 9-3 in the final period.
With the win, the Falcons improve to 16-4-0, 5-1-0-1. The Huskies fall to 8-5-1, 2-2-0-0.
Bowling Green will head to Mankato, Minnesota next weekend for a pivotal matchup with the WCHA leader Minnesota State.
