James McIntosh came to Bowling Green’s hockey team as a forward.
But the junior recently was switched to defense to provide BG with some much-needed offensive skill on
the blueine.
McIntosh, who also is a good skater, has a goal and two assists in his four games on defense. He’s also
playing on the power play. The change was made before BG’s series against Ohio State Dec. 10-11.
"It’s not a huge change because I’ve played there before," said McIntosh, who had played the
position earlier in his BG and minor hockey careers. "It takes some getting used to, but I’m
comfortable back there."
BG coach Chris Bergeron said McIntosh is a defenseman who can "really push the pace."
NEXT: BG, 7-13-2 overall and 2-10-2 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, host No. 20 Ferris
State (9-8-4, 6-6-3-2) tonight and Saturday night at 7:05.
CHANGE: Bergeron said Bobby Shea will remain at forward after being moving there from defense four games
ago. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound sophomore plays a rugged style, providing BG with a physical presence.
"We’re not physical enough up front," Bergeron said. "We work hard. I just don’t think
we’re very physical in terms of impact with that physical play. He’s got better hands than people think.
He has a chance to be a pretty good forward."
Shea still could see action on defense in an emergency since his move and Michael Montrose’s decision to
quit the team leaves BG with only seven defensemen.
EMPHASIS: In addition to learning how to win, BG is attempting to change its habit of not playing well
throughout an entire game if it doesn’t play well in the first period.
As a rule this season, if BG doesn’t well in the first period, the poor play carries through the final
two periods.
"We have to find a way to create something," Bergeron said. "If the first period isn’t
very good, so be it. Let’s decompress and get refocused, and make periods two and three good."