Bowling Green State University hockey turned the tables on Michigan Tech, winning 6-1 on Saturday, after losing at the Slater Family Ice Arena on Friday.
The Falcons (3-7-0, 2-4-0 in CCHA) won 6-1 over the Huskies (5-3-1, 1-2-1 in CCHA) on Saturday.
Contradicting the rowdiness of Friday’s game, the first 10 minutes of the period were free of any penalties and scoring.
Halfway through the first, BGSU forward Ethan Scardina went to the box for hooking.
The Falcons’ penalty kill pressed on and they were back on 5-on-5.
As Scardina stepped out of the penalty box, Michigan Tech got on the board first as defenseman Trevor Russell shot the puck past Stoever to make it 1-0.
With just three minutes left, the Falcons retaliated with an Ethan Scardina goal.
The score was tied at 1-1, and the Slate was filled with cheers for Bowling Green.
Seconds later, BG senior Adam Pitters snapped one past MTU netminder Blake Pietila for a 2-1 lead.
Right after the goal, Pitters sat for contact to the head, allowing Michigan Tech five minutes on the PP.
The period closed with the Huskies having over three minutes of power play time to start the second.
The second period started with a man advantage for Michigan Tech, as they pushed for another goal.
Michigan Tech’s power play was cut short as forward Logan Pietila sat for interference.
Less than two minutes into the second, Falcons points leader Austen Swankler grabbed the puck from linemate Chase Gresock and scored for a 3-1 lead.
At the halfway point, Huskies forward Jake Crespi got a penalty for interference, and the offensively strong Falcons were back on the power play.
During the advantage, BGSU forward Nathan Burke put in the puck through traffic into the Huskies net, making it 4-1.
After Swankler’s goal, backup goalie Max Vayrynen replaced Pietila for the rest of the game after the starter gave up four unanswered goals.
The period ended with the Falcons looking collected and confident with their high-scoring play.
The third period began with Bowling Green on the advantage, as the Huskies scrambled for another goal.
Instead, Michigan Tech players’ emotions got in the way and allowed multiple power plays for BGSU.
At the 13:38 mark, Austen Swankler got a penalty for roughing, and the Huskies tried to generate offense.
However, Falcon fifth-year Taylor Schneider scored short-handed for a 5-1 lead.
Michigan Tech lost confidence after BG newcomer Jaden Grant’s power play goal with less than three minutes left, and the Falcons came out victorious 6-1.
Breaking their losing streak, team captain Alex Barber looks forward to more wins for Bowling Green.
“It’s definitely great for our confidence moving forward, it was great to put up a win,” Barber said.
The Falcons play another home CCHA series next weekend against the St. Thomas Tommies.
