File. BG’s Anton Malmstrom moves the puck around Michigan Tech players.
J.D. Pooley | Sentinel-Tribune
After a needed Thanksgiving break, it’s time for more hockey.
The Bowling Green State University hockey team will take on the Lake Superior State Lakers this weekend at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Looking back on the split series against the Ferris State Bulldogs, there were some positives and some negatives that coach Ty Eigner pointed out about the team’s play.
The Falcons took the first game with a score of 6-0. The win was BGSU’s first shutout win of the season, and sophomore netminder Christian Stoever earned his second career shutout.
“For the most part on Friday, we played really well and we chased their starting goalie out and made the other guy come in,” Eigner said.
The Bulldogs took the second game of the series with a score of 4-1, and the Falcons were unable to get their second sweep of the season. Eigner said he couldn’t find the reasons for a seemingly opposite game after their shutout.
“Not sure if it was because they were tired and we had a couple of guys not feeling their best, but there’s really no excuses,” he said.
Despite the loss, Eigner emphasized that sweeps are difficult, and as the Falcons deal with injury issues this season, their wins take a lot of effort with smaller rosters.
“Our mentality was to sweep a team on the road and get more points in the CCHA, and unfortunately we couldn’t do it,” he said.
Injuries have been apparent on Bowling Green’s defense, as defensemen Eric Parker and Anton Malmstrom and goaltender Zack Rose have been sidelined for recent games.
“Without those guys, you feel like you’re not at your full potential,” Eigner said.
However, the team has adjusted with players, such as newcomers Zach Vinnell and Hunter Lellig to fill key roles. Eigner said the defense has adjusted well by figuring out how to supplement those missing pieces.
“It does put some stress on some guys, but it certainly creates opportunities for those kinds of players,” he said.
Despite frustrations with losses and dealing with tough matchups coming up, Eigner and his players keep a mindset of moving forward and playing to the standards of Bowling Green hockey.
“Trying to keep things into perspective and focusing on having good Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays leading into the weekend is all we can really do,” Eigner said.
The Lakers have only won one game in their season and have come up short in garnering any wins within the CCHA.
Regardless of their record, Eigner said that they are a team that are not to be taken lightly.
“When they are at their best, they’re a team that is hard to play against,” he said. “They’re well coached and their systems are good there.”
In the 2021-22 season, the Lakers swept the Falcons on the road.
The first game will take place at Taffy Abel Arena on Friday. Puck drop is at 7:07 p.m.
