Bowling Green is using a team effort to help overcome the loss of Ryan Carpenter.The junior
forward is out indefinitely after breaking his finger during BG’s exhibition Oct. 5 against Wilfrid
Laurier.Carpenter centers BG’s top line and is one of the best players in the Western Collegiate Hockey
Association. He had 18 goals and 33 points last season.“He, obviously, makes a difference, but there are
other guys who can contribute and there are other guys with skill who can pick up the slack,” BG sophomore
forward Ben Murphy said. “Everyone knows if somebody like (Carpenter) is out, they have to pick up the slack
and we have the leadership to do that.”BG coach Chris Bergeron praised senior forwards Brett Mohler, Bryce
Williamson and Cam Wojtala, and junior forwards Dan DeSalvo and Adam Berkle for their play and leadership in
Tuesday’s 4-3 win over Ohio State.The victory came after BG opened the season last weekend with a tie and a
loss at 16th-ranked Union.“We challenged them and they stepped up,” Bergeron said. “We were led by our
seniors. We’re proud of those guys. Tonight is a nice indication of where the senior class can take us if
they can put the team on their shoulders.”SCRATCHED: BG junior defenseman Mike Sullivan, who played in all
41 games last season, didn’t play against OSU.The coaching staff was unhappy with Sullivan’s play in
Saturday’s 5-2 loss at Union. Sullivan is one of BG’s best blueliners, and is used on the special
teams.“Just something we want to nip in the rear end,” Bergeron said. “We’re a better team with Michael in
the lineup and we want to make sure his play gets to the level he’s capable of.”RESPONSE: Williamson
responded with a big game after being demoted to the fourth line.“That was a reflection of his play on
Saturday,” Bergeron said. “Bryce knows what the expectations are and he showed us what he’s capable
of.”Williamson — who has a history of inconsistency — had a goal and an assist and led BG with six shots on
goal.PP: The BG power play is off to a hot start, scoring four times in 13 attempts (30.8 percent).The unit
of Murphy, Williamson, DeSalvo, Brent Tate and Ralf Freibergs scored both goals against OSU,“We’re doing
things with a purpose on the power play,” Bergeron said.The Falcon power play finished last season at 8.8
percent, but was 6-of-29 (20.7 percent) once Freibergs became eligible for the final seven games.“Towards
the end of last year, there was some flow with our group and it’s carried over to this year,” Murphy said.
“There’s a confidence there, that guys are licking their chops to score when we get out there on the power
play.”PK: The Falcon penalty-killing was 7-of-8 against OSU after allowing Union six goals in 18
attempts.“We were just better; there was more intensity,” Bergeron said. “There were times this past weekend
where the intensity wasn’t there.”The Falcons did a better job of winning loose pucks, blocking shots and
clearing the puck from their own end.“Very good,” BG goalie Tommy Burke said of the penalty-killing.SOLID:
Burke bounced back from a tough start to hold OSU scoreless over the final 29:57. He also had plenty of help
from the defense and forwards in front of him.“I wasn’t doubting myself,” Burke said after OSU scored a
fluke goal and two soft goals for a 3-0 lead. “My thought there was, ‘30 minutes left, just shut the door
from here. I just told myself to make the next save.”“His play after those two goals was solid,” Bergeron
said. “The second half of the game he was more than solid. It was what we needed him to be.”MILESTONE:
Murphy’s game-winning goal against OSU is believed to be the 7,000th goal in the history of the BG program.