The Minnesota State Mavericks kicked off WCHA play by charging into Bowling Green after coming up with a shocking sweep of Boston University last weekend. The Mavericks special teams were out in full force, scoring three power-play goals to beat the Falcons, 4-1.
A crazy play broke open scoring for the night, as a Mavericks slap shot rang off the pipe, leading the Falcons crowd and defensemen to believe it was a good goal. Meanwhile, Falcons goaltender Eric Dop was scrambling to find the puck in front of him. Before anybody else could figure out the location of the puck, Parker Toumie cleaned up the rebound, giving Minnesota State the early lead, and his first goal of the season.
After being dominated in the first period, the Falcons came out in the second playing a much more physical game, leading to a flawless centering pass from Max Johnson to Cameron Wright, who scored his third goal of the season.
Minnesota State answered with two power-play goals and an even-strength goal. Bowling Green coach Chris Bergeron had one word to sum up the Falcons’ lackluster performance: compete.
“If you don’t skate, you don’t work, you don’t compete, you don’t have offense and you don’t have a penalty kill,” said Bergeron.
Although the Mavericks kept Bowling Green to only 17 shots on goal, Bowling Green was not without opportunities. The Falcons went on the power play six times, coming away with nothing to show for it.
When asked what needs to be fixed on the power play, Bergeron yet said “Competition level, putting the team before themselves. The lack of execution on the power play was another result of not being ready to compete at the level we say we’re going to do no matter what. We need to start with competing much harder.”
Defenseman Shane Bednard followed up his coach’s comments saying, “That was a game we came out flat in the start and couldn’t get back into the game through three periods. That was just us not being ready to play.”
The Mavericks improved to 4-1-1 on the season and 1-0 in WCHA play. The Falcons fall to 1-4 on the year and 0-2 in the conference. The series will conclude Saturday during a “Pink Out” at the Slater Family Ice Arena, with puck drop coming at 7:07 ET.
Around the WCHA
No. 1 Denver 3, Lake Superior 3
Goalie Nick Kossoff turned in a stellar performance, making 63 saves, and Brayden Gelsinger and Max Humitz each had a goal and assist as Lake Superior tied the No. 1 Pioneers, 3-3. Denver’s Jarid Lukosevicius scored in the exhibition three-on-three overtime to send the Denver fans home happy.
Northern Michigan 5, No. 6 Wisconsin 4
Despite going against a highly touted Wisconsin Badgers team, the Northern Michigan Wildcats came away with the win in Green Bay on an overtime heartbreaker thanks to the heroics of Denver Pierce, who had two goals, including the game-winner. Badgers forward Trent Frederic completed Wisconsin’s rally from two down in the third, forcing the game to go into overtime. Pierce scored a power-play goal with just 56 seconds left to play in the OT. The series concludes Saturday at 5:07 CT.
No. 15 Michigan Tech 5, Alabama-Hunstville 4
The Huskies came away with the win at home against Alabama-Hunstville in a rollercoaster of a game. After both teams scored in the first period of action, they went into intervals of highs and lows. The Huskies scored two straight goals, only to give up three unanswered to the Chargers. Jake Lucchini was the hero, burying the game-winning goal for Michigan Tech on his way to a three-point night.
Bemidji State 4, No. 20 Air Force 1
Air Force took a 1-0 lead in the first period, but Bemidji State scored four unanswered goals, leading to a nonconference victory. Kyle Bauman had a two-goal night, including what would be the game winner early in the third. Beavers goaltender Michael Bitzer made 18 saves in the win. Bemidji State improved to 2-0-1 on the season, while Air Force fell to 3-1-1. The series concludes Saturday at 7:07 CT.
Ferris State 3, Mercyhurst 2
Ferris State fought off a close game with Mercyhurst, winning 3-2. The Bulldogs and Lakers traded off first period power-play goals, and Dominic Lutz gave the Bulldogs the lead, netting his first goal of the season with three minutes left to play in the period. Mercyhurst tied the game just 1:31 into the second. Lutz however, went on to have a big night, netting the game-winning goal about four minutes later. The Bulldogs defense held the Lakers scoreless in the third to improve to 2-3-0 on the season. The two teams will finish the series Saturday at Mercyhurst at 2:35 ET.
Alaska 6, Alaska Anchorage 2
Alaska notched its first win of the year, defeating in-state rival Alaska Anchorage 6-2 behind 22 saves from Anton Martinsson and two goals from Justin Woods, including the game-winner, and three assists from Tristan Thompson.
