BG’s Christian Stoever makes a save Saturday against Michigan State.
J.D. Pooley | Sentinel-Tribune
With a split series against Michigan State last weekend, Bowling Green State University hockey head coach Ty Eigner wants to take all six points in this week’s Western Michigan matchup.
Netminders Zack Rose and Christian Stoever put on stellar performances over the weekend, with each facing almost 40 shots each.
“The team feels really comfortable with both of our goalies in net,” Eigner said.
Rose was awarded CCHA Goaltender of the Week for his performance on Friday, matching his career record of 38 saves. Eigner has been impressed with the progress that Rose has made since missing the second half of last season and recovering from a hip surgery in the summer.
“It was fun to see him play as well as he did on Friday up in East Lansing and he did a really good job,” Eigner said.
Stoever made 39 saves against the Spartans, even when missing some ice time from a cut hand by a skate blade. Eigner said that Stoever will be ready for the upcoming series.
“As long as things continue the right way, we expect to see him at some point this weekend,” Eigner said.
Although the goalies accomplished great feats, the uneven shot count for both games also tell the team that they must work on their blue line management and zone entry. Eigner believes that the cause came from spending so much time in their defensive zone, exhausting all legs on the ice.
“When you spend a bunch of your shifts in your own end and get the puck, you don’t really have any energy left to go the other way,” Eigner said. “Ideally, we want to improve on that.”
On the offensive side of the ice, the Falcons (2-2) have seen more forwards shine and improving their stats, most notably sophomore Ryan O’Hara.
In his freshman year last season, O’Hara had four goals. Six games into this year, he has already matched that number. Beyond his statistics, Eigner has seen O’Hara blossom into a star player for BGSU.
“It’s really his hard work and preparation,” Eigner said. “It has put him in a spot where he’s taking advantage of these opportunities.”
Western Michigan, ranked No. 18 according to USCHO’s Division I Men’s poll, will be another difficult non-conference series for the Falcons. The Broncos reached the Frozen Four last season and are 2-1-0 after a 6-4 win against the Ferris State Bulldogs.
Bowling Green’s overall record against the Broncos is 82-60-9, and Eigner said he hopes to continue their stretch of winning against the NCHC team.
“They’re a really well-coached team,” Eigner said. “We’re expecting a very deep and solid team and it’s going to be a tough test for sure.”
The Falcons will play at Lawson Ice Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan today and will come back to the Madhouse on Mercer on Friday for the home-and-home series.
