Kai Kantola, David Solway and Jordan Samuels-Thomas are starting to help Bowling Green end its scoring
drought.
The line has combined to score five of BG’s last eight goals over the last three games, including four
goals and five assists in last weekend’s split against ninth-ranked Alaska.
"We’re looking for each other, working together .. everything’s clicking," Samuels-Thomas said.

All three have good skill, while the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Samuels-Thomas and Kantola (6-11â„2, 190) are
big, strong wingers, who go to the net.
The line generates scoring chances off the rush and by controlling the puck in the offensive zone.
The line debuted at Ferris State Nov. 7 and remained in tact for the Alaska series.
"We’re getting more and more comfortable," said Samuels-Thomas, who is the Central Collegiate
Hockey Association’s rookie of the week.
He had two goals and two assists against Alaska.
BALANCE: Although the Solway line is scoring, BG is looking for additional scoring to complement its top
line.
The Falcons are last in the CCHA in goals scored (1.9 per game), entering this weekend’s series against
No. 16 Michigan.
The teams play Friday in Ann Arbor and Saturday at Lucas County Arena in Toledo. Faceoff is 7:35 p.m.
Friday and 7:05 p.m. Saturday.
"We need secondary scoring," BG coach Dennis Williams said. "We need other lines to chip
in. We can’t hope to win games with one line scoring. We need more guys scoring."
GROWTH: Although the Falcons are 1-8-1-1 overall and 1-4-1 in the CCHA, Williams believes his team is
improving.
Williams praised his team’s play in the defensive zone. The Falcons allowed just 52 shots against Alaska
and essentially three even-strength goals. BG is last in the CCHA in goals allowed (3.8 per game).
"We’re tightening up that area," Williams said.
BG is starting to generate more quality scoring chances, thanks to an effective forecheck. The Falcons
have been using a patient, but aggressive forechecking scheme that causes turnovers and still keeps BG
in good defensive position.
Early in the season, BG allowed too many odd-man rushes.
"We’ve started to really work the systems to our advantage," Williams said.
POINTS: BG senior forward Tomas Petruska is off to a solid start. He’s second on the team with eight
points on two goals and six assists, and is playing on the power play.
He had just one goal and three assists last season after showing promise his first two seasons with 13
goals and 15 assists.
"He’s playing with a little more jump and confidence in his step," Williams said. "He’s
playing a role where he’s expected to score."
Petruska made a terrific backhand saucer pass to Josh Boyd, who then scored the winning goal in Friday’s
3-1 victory over Alaska.
A saucer pass is a pass which stays flat in the air, but is easy for the receiving player to control when
it lands and hard for an opponent to intercept.
The neutral zone pass went past two Alaska players, sending Boyd in on left wing. The goal completed a
nice three-way play as Jerry Freismuth won a battle along the boards for control of the puck and then
fed Petruska.
PRAISE: Freshman defenseman Ryan Peltoma has impressed BG’s coaches. Most recently, he played well
against Alaska with an on-ice rating of plus-2.
"He keeps the game simple," Williams said. "He doesn’t put himself in bad positions and he
sees the ice well. He’s not the fastest skater, but he’s an effective skater for what he does. He makes
the pass up to the wingers in the (defensive zone) and clears guys out from the front of the net."