#15 Falcons notch 20th win with 3-1 win over Beavers

Bemidji, MN – With three games to play in the regular season, the 15th-ranked Falcons are honing in on a second place finish in the WCHA. A 3-1 win over Bemidji State on Friday gave Bowling Green sole possession of the second spot.

Ryan Bednard started in net for the Falcons, stopping 20 of 21 shots faced. Zach Driscoll had 20 saves on 22 chances for the Beavers.

First Period

The Falcons didn’t wait long to crack the scoreboard, scoring the game’s first goal just 26 seconds into the first period. Max Johnson sent a backhand chance past Driscoll for his 12th goal of the season. Brandon Kruse and Alec Rauhauser tallied the assists on the play.

Bowling Green finished the first period with ten shots on net while Bemidji State had eight chances.

Second Period

Bowling Green extended their lead to 2-0 at 2:27 of the second period. Taylor Schneider’s shot on net was saved by Driscoll and the rebound came to Will Cullen. The freshman defenseman stayed hot, potting a rebound goal. The goal was Cullen’s third straight in as many games. Chris Pohlkamp had the secondary assist.

The Falcons’ defense was stout in the second period, holding the Beavers to just two chances. Bowling Green had nine shots on net.

Third Period

The Beavers cut the Falcons’ lead to 2-1 at 2:46 of the third period. Alex Ierullo converted a pass from Tyler Kirkup for Bemidji State’s first goal of the game.

The Beavers pulled Driscoll for an extra-attacker with 2:04 to play in the third period. But, Stephen Baylis chased down a loose puck and scored on the empty net for his eighth goal of the season. John Schilling and Connor Ford assisted on the play.

The Falcons were outshot by an 11-3 mark in the final period.

With the win, the Falcons improve to 20-8-4, 15-7-3-2. Bowling Green has accrued a 20+ win season in five-straight years.

The Beavers fall to 15-13-5, 13-9-3-2 on the season.

The teams will conclude their weekend series Saturday at 8:07 PM.