Bowling Green’s hockey team will be without its best player indefinitely.Ryan Carpenter will
have surgery Friday to repair a fractured finger suffered during last Saturday’s exhibition against
Wilfrid Laurier.The junior forward led BG with 18 goals and 33 points last season, and already has been
mentioned as a candidate for the Hobey Baker Award.The injury happened in the first period when
Carpenter was hit by a teammate’s shot.He continued to play throughout the game and the finger was still
swollen Monday.“The recommendation of the hand specialist was surgery would be the best option, so it
heals properly,” BG coach Chris Bergeron said.Carpenter had an X-ray Monday, but Bergeron said there was
no mention of surgery until a hand specialist was consulted.Bergeron learned of the surgery early
Tuesday night. The finger will be set with a pin.Carpenter will resume skating in practice when he feels
well enough after the surgery.“He won’t be able to stickhandle,” Bergeron said. “But he won’t need two
weeks to get back in shape.”BG will be without three of its top nine forwards when it visits Union
Friday and Saturday to start the season.Brent Tate won’t play because of a chest injury, while Dajon
Mingo will sit out the series because of a suspension for academic issues.Mingo is eligible to return to
the lineup next week, while no timetable has been set for Tate’s return. Tate has not practiced this
week.“This is an opportunity for other guys to contribute,” Bergeron said.