BGSU hockey notebook: Burke impressive in playoff debut (3-14-14)

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Tommy Burke’s playoff debut was an impressive one.
The sophomore stopped 24 shots to help the Falcons to a 2-1 victory over Michigan Tech in Game 1 of their
Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff series at the Ice Arena.
“You need your goalie to play well in the playoffs, so it was good to get that first one out of the way.
Hopefully, we can get the next one tomorrow,” Burke said.
He was the backup last season to Andrew Hammond, who started BG’s five playoff games.
Burke held Tech scoreless over the final 49:48 to improve his goals-against average to 2.42 and save
percentage to .911.
His best save came on a redirection early in the second period, although he stopped a partial screen shot
from the point in the final minute of the game.
“They throw pucks at the net and try to get chances that way with rebounds and stuff,” Burke said,
praising his defense and forwards for keeping Tech’s quality scoring chances to a minimum.
“For the most part, I didn’t have to do too much.”
Although Burke has played well overall this season, he had some struggles during the second half of the
season.
But in the last four games, he’s stopped 96-of-104 shots for a 2.00 goals-against and a .923 save
percentage. He’s started BG’s last eight games.
“Tommy played the way he’s played most of the year,” BG coach Chris Bergeron said. “He’s a guy who didn’t
forget how to play at a high level. He played well. He was strong.”
FACEOFFS: Bergeron was unhappy Tech won 41 of the game’s 70 faceoffs, although BG’s first goal directly
resulted from Dan DeSalvo winning a faceoff in the offensive zone.
“Their centermen are as good as any group we’ll face,” Bergeron said. “We’ll have to do a (better) job
collectively …you start with the centermen and then go to the other four guys and say we need help
here. It’s a huge point.”
PHYSICAL: The game was fast-paced and extremely physical, but only four penalties were called — all
minors and two to each team.
“That was a man’s game out there, a lot of stick battles, a lot of physical battles,” Bergeron said.
PP: Bryce Williamson’s goal in the first period gave BG a power-play goal for the sixth straight game.

The Falcons are 8-of-17 with the extra man in that span.
PK: Tech’s goal came on a power play, ending BG’s streak of four straight games without allowing a
power-play goal.
The BG penalty-killing is 41-of-47 over the last 15 games.
GAME 3: The Falcons’ last three first-round playoff series have gone the three-game maximum, with BG
winning all three series after losing Game 1.
“We can draw on that for some inspiration,” Tech coach Mel Pearson said.
But the Falcons are looking for a sweep.
“It was a pretty even game,” BG junior captain Ryan Carpenter said. “We know this is a good team. They’re
not going away. We can’t take our foot off the gas.”
CROWD: Friday’s game had a crowd of only 991, including about 20 members of Tech’s pep band. Most of the
band members were alums.
The Falcon band wasn’t at the game as it was in Cleveland for the Mid-American Conference basketball
tournament. The university also is on spring break this week.
EXTRA ATTACKER: Tech pulled goalie Pheonix Copley for 6-on-5 advantage with just over a minute to play in
regulation in an attempt to the game.
“We work on that in practice a couple times of week,” Burke said. “We treat it like a penalty-kill. For
the most part, we did a good job.”
GLI: The Falcons will play in the Great Lakes Invitational in 2017 at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena, BG
announced Friday.
The tournament pairings and dates haven’t been finalized, but the event will be played on two consecutive
days between Dec. 27-30.
BG has played in the GLI twice,1976 and 1984. The tournament started in 1965.
Michigan, Michigan State and Tech have competed in every GLI since 1979, while inviting a fourth team.

NEXT: The quarterfinal winners will be reseeded for the semifinals March 21 at Van Andel Arena in Grand
Rapids, Mich.
The highest remaining seed plays the lowest remaining seed, with the second- and third-seeds then meet in
the other semifinal.
The semifinals are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The championship game is March 22 at 7 p.m.
TV: The semifinals and finals of the WCHA playoffs will be televised live by Fox Sports North, the league
announced Friday.
SportsTime Ohio also will carry the games, although its listings only have the first semifinal being
shown live.
The second semifinal will be shown on a delayed basis at 10 that night. The championship will be shown on
a delayed basis March 23 at 10 p.m.

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