Falcons looking for stretch of solid games

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Bowling Green’s hockey team is hoping Saturday’s effort against Providence starts a string of good
performances.
Although the Falcons lost a 3-1 decision, they played well and worked hard most of the game.
BG had 34 shots on goal, limited Providence’s quality scoring chances and goalie Andrew Hammond played
well with 29 saves.
"There are a lot of positives from that game and if play like that all of the time, we can be
successful," BG senior James Perkin said.
The Falcons, 0-4 overall, begin the Central Collegiate Hockey Association portion of their schedule
Friday and Saturday nights at 12th-ranked Nebraska-Omaha (3-0-1) at 8:05.
"I was real pleased with our effort (Saturday) and it was even more evident after watching the
film," BG coach Dennis Williams said. "We played a very good game. I liked the way we
competed. We battled and never gave up. That’s the most we’ve competed over the course of 60 minutes
this year."
OFFENSE: Scoring goals remains BG’s primary problem as it has scored two or fewer goals in every game.

But the Falcons finally generated a consistent offense with the 34 shots Saturday after totaling only 61
shots in their first three games.
"Our forecheck was really good," Perkin said. "We created turnovers and scoring chances.
The puck is going to start going in. We’re getting chances and that’s a good sign. If we keep shooting,
the puck is going to start going in because we’re getting chances."
Although the BG power play was 0-of-4 Saturday, it had 15 shots on goal and ample scoring chances.
"We executed very well," Williams said. "We had great puck movement. We easily could have
had two or three goals. I was real pleased with that. We just have to find a way to put those pucks in
and to be strong around the net."
UNO: The Mavericks, idle last weekend, have beaten Army and No. 9 UMass-Lowell at home, and won and tied
at Colgate.
UNO is seventh nationally in scoring at 3.75 goals per game and tied for 13th in goals allowed (2.25 per
game).
"They’re playing good hockey," Williams said. "They’re working extremely hard. They’re
very skilled and they skate well.
"We can’t afford turnovers and odd-man rushes, and we’ll have to play well defensively. We can’t get
into an end-to-end, transition game with them. We have to be very physical and play an in-your-face
game."
UNO, sixth in the CCHA coaches poll, is in its first under coach Dean Blais. He led North Dakota to NCAA
titles in 1997 and 2000.
JST: BG freshman left wing Jordan Samuels-Thomas has been fun to watch. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder has a
sweet mix of skill and strength. He’s terrific at protecting the puck down low and has what Williams
called a "pro-level shot. He has a great release and he shoots the puck hard."
Like most freshmen, Samuels-Thomas is working on his defense and becoming more physical, and playing
consistently well.
"He’s got the potential to be a great college hockey player," Williams said. "I really
like him and he’s working hard at it. He’s shown he wants to be a better all-around player."
MAC: Williams praised sophomore defenseman James McIntosh, who played Saturday for just the second time
this season. He played forward and defense last season.
"He did a nice job did a nice job Saturday," Williams said. "It’s not easy to go from
forward to defense. It’s a lot easier going from defense to a forward. He brings a physical presence and
he skates well."
GOALIES: Williams said BG’s goaltending plans for UNO are undecided. Based on the Providence series, it’s
likely Hammond will start Friday.
Hammond was outstanding Saturday. Nick Eno wasn’t sharp in his start Friday and Hammond didn’t play well
in relief. Eno has an .895 save percentage, while Eno’s is .877.
ON THE ROAD: The Falcons play 14 of their next 20 games on the road, including league series at UNO,
Ferris State, No. 8 Notre Dame, Ohio State and Northern Michigan.
The stretch also includes a series against No. 5 Michigan, which hosts the first game with the second
game being played in Toledo.

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