The Bowling Green Falcons (3-4-2, 2-3-1 CCHA) ran their unbeaten streak to four games by downing the Purple Eagles of Niagara (2-4-0, 1-1 CHA), 4-2 at the BG Ice Arena on Friday night. The unbeaten streak is the longest for the Falcons since March of 2001.<\/p>\n
“Both teams were counterpunching pretty well,” said Falcon head coach Scott Paluch of the back-and-forth game. “Both teams were taking advantage of mistakes.”<\/p>\n
While the game was a see-saw affair, one constant for the Falcons was the penalty kill, which has not allowed a power play goal in the last four games, and has a 94% success rate on the season.<\/p>\n
“We bent but didn’t break on the penalty kill,” said Paluch. “All through the year, we’ve been putting good pressure on the PK — getting sticks and bodies on the puck. We’re seven to eight penalty killers deep right now.”<\/p>\n
Niagara coach Dave Burkholder was impressed with the penalty kill from both teams.<\/p>\n
“Our power play unit had too many shots blocked from the point. [Bowling Green] was very aggressive. They did a great job on the kill, as we did. These were pretty evenly-matched teams. This was a good college hockey game.”<\/p>\n
The Falcons drew first blood in the opening period. Center Brett Pilkington picked up his fourth goal of the season as he took a giveaway in the corner to the top of the circle and threaded the puck through traffic to beat Niagara netminder Rob Bonk for the 1-0 lead. For the Falcons, it was their first opening-period goal at home of the season.<\/p>\n
Niagara got on the board just 49 seconds into the middle frame. Freshman Sean Bentivoglio scored his first career goal, taking a two-on-one feed from Barret Ehgoetz, and beating Jordan Sigalet for the 1-1 tie. Pat Oliveto also assisted on the play.<\/p>\n
BG freshman Jonathon Sigalet got into the act at the 6:05 mark of the period, netting his first career goal, a shorthanded tally. Jon Sitko attempted a pass from in front of the crease which was initially blocked by a Purple Eagle defender. The loose puck went to Sigalet, who wheeled and slid the puck underneath Bonk for the 2-1 lead.<\/p>\n
“Sitko tried to pass it but it got blocked. I just gave it a whack and it trickled through,” said Sigalet.<\/p>\n
Niagara tied the game with just under eight minutes to play. Right winger Jeremy Hall beat the BG goalie over the shoulder with a wicked slapshot which banged off the crossbar and into the net. Ehgoetz and Oliveto assisted on the play.<\/p>\n
The Falcons regained their lead at the 16:56 mark of the period as Mark Wires beat Bonk between the pad and the post for the 3-2 lead. Wires’ power-play goal was assisted by Pilkington and Jonathon Sigalet.<\/p>\n
The Falcons added an insurance goal with 5:48 left in the third period. Freshman winger Rich Meloche netted his fifth goal of the season, beating Jeff VanNynatten, who replaced Bonk in net at the start of the third.<\/p>\n
Bowling Green finished 1-7 on the power play, extending to a streak of three games with at least one power-play goal. The Purple Eagles were shut out in eight attempts with the man advantage. Bowling Green outshot Niagara 30-27 overall.<\/p>\n
Niagara will head to the Taylor SportsPlex in Taylor, Michigan, for a CHA battle with the Wayne State Warriors Saturday night. Game time is 7:05 p.m.<\/p>\n
The Falcons hit the road for a series next weekend in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, as they go up against the Lake Superior State Lakers at Taffy Abel Arena. Both Friday and Saturday’s games are slated for 7:05 p.m.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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