Penalties cost Falcon hockey in Game 2 loss at Union (10-12-13)

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BG’s Brett Mohler shoots the puck (Photo courtesy Trent Hermann)

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Bowling Green’s hockey team couldn’t overcome too many
penalties Saturday night.The Falcons were called for 12 penalties and short-handed 10 times en route to a
5-2 loss to 16th-ranked Union.Union capitalized by scoring four straight power-play goals after the Falcons
had tied the game 1-1.The BG power play was 1-of-5, but the goal and its last three chances came in the
final 11 minutes after Union built a 5-1 lead.The Union win came after the teams played a 3-3 tie Friday to
open the season. BOX
SCORE
Union finished Saturday’s game with a 29-22 edge in shots, including a 14-6
margin in the first period.“Right from the beginning, (Union) had way more jump than we did, that’s why we
ended up getting a bunch of penalties because we were trying to hold on for dear life,” BG coach Chris
Bergeron said. “They were skating past us.”BG tied the game 1-1 when freshman forward Matt Pohlkamp scored
his first goal at 12:12 of the first period.But Union scored twice in both the second period and third
periods to earn the win.Michael Pontarelli had two goals for Union, while Daniel Ciampini and Daniel Carr
each had one goal and assist. Shayne Gostisbehere, a third-round NHL draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers,
had three assists.“(Union) came out like they were mad about last night’s game and we came out like we were
OK with a tie,” Bergeron said. “We can’t put our ourselves in a situation where we’re chasing teams around
because when you do, you’re going to take a bunch of penalties.”BG totaled 19 penalties for 41 minutes in
the series, and it allowed six power-play goals in 18 attempts. The BG power play was 2-of-7.Special teams
have been a point of emphasis for BG since the team returned to school in August. BG scored at only 8.8
percent on the power play last season, and killed penalties at just 72.3 percent.“We’ve got lots of work to
do on the special teams,” Bergeron said. “It’s disappointing because we know how important special teams
are. It cost us the game tonight, along with our lack of discipline and our lack of intensity from the drop
of the puck.”The loss spoiled the first start for BG freshman goalie Tomas Sholl, who made 24 saves.“He was
good,” Bergeron said. “He looked a little nervous early, but the score could have been a lot worse had he
not been in the net. He played well for his first college start. I’m disappointed for him the team in front
of him wasn’t better.”Mark Cooper scored BG’s other goal.The Falcons played without three of their top nine
forwards — Ryan Carpenter (broken finger), Brent Tate (chest injury) and Dajon Mingo (suspension).Mingo is
eligible to play Tuesday when the Falcons play their home-opener against Ohio State. Carpenter and Tate are
out indefinitely.The Falcons have three home games in all next week as they face Colgate next weekend.

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