After a back-and-forth overtime period, Ryan Carpenter scored with 2:42 remaining to lift the Bowling Green Falcons to a 3-2 victory over the No. 2 ranked Ferris State Bulldogs.
Sophomore forward Chad Sumsion dug the puck out behind the Bulldogs’ goal before hitting Carpenter at the bottom of the right circle for the game-winning goal.
However, there was some controversy as the dump-in by Bowling Green preceding the goal appeared to hit the protective netting behind the Ferris State goal. After a few moments of discussion, the officials determined that the goal would stand.
“We were opportunistic around the other team’s net,” said Bowling Green coach Chris Bergeron.
In a closely-fought game, it was the Bulldogs that lit the red lamp first with a power-play goal by Kyle Bonis. Quick puck movement by the Bulldogs power-play unit opened a seam in the Bowling Green defense for Scott Czarnowczan to make a pass to Bonis for a one-timer that found its way past Hammond.
Turnovers by the Bulldogs defense provided Bowling Green with plenty of chances in the first period, but they couldn’t solve Nelson until early in the second when Camden Wojtala netted his first of the night by deflecting a shot from the point by Jake Sloat.
Garrett Thompson knocked in a rebound to put Ferris State back in the lead early in the third period, but the lead would not last.
With 2:51 remaining in regulation, a strong Bowling Green forecheck forced a turnover behind the Bulldogs net, leaving Wojtala with a wraparound opportunity for his second of the night.
As the overtime frame started, Ferris State came out strong, but could not solve Hammond.
“I thought we played a good solid game,” said Ferris State coach Bob Daniels. “I give a lot of credit to Bowling Green and Andrew Hammond.”
As overtime continued, it became more and more apparent that the game was going to end following a mistake. Bowling Green’s Marc Rodriguez took an interference penalty midway through the frame that looked to be the game-deciding mistake, but the Falcons killed the penalty.
“We made a couple of gutsy plays when we needed to,” said Bergeron, “one of them being the penalty kill in overtime.”
Despite the outcome, Daniels was happy with the play of his team saying, “I’m disappointed with the end result, but not with the effort of the players.”
Ferris State (22-10-5, 16-8-5-1 CCHA) and Bowling Green (13-22-5, 6-19-4-3 CCHA) will play game two of their best-of-three CCHA quarterfinal series tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. in Big Rapids.
