BGSU riding momentum into Minnesota

Bowling Green State University hockey will take on the St. Thomas Tommies on the road for a Thursday-Friday series.

The Falcons are 14-12 overall, with a 11-7 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Their conference record puts them first in the standings.

Bowling Green has played 18 in-conference games, which is the most out of all CCHA teams. BGSU coach Ty Eigner says that the key to staying at the top is to take it weekend by weekend.

“Teams are going to have an opportunity to catch up,” Eigner said. “We have to do the best we can to get points in those CCHA games.”

In their last series against Bemidji State, the Falcons looked more swift on the ice, playing a full 60 minutes each night.

Freshman forward Quinn Emerson stood out in the series with a short-handed goal and an assist on linemate Jaden Grant’s short-hander on Friday. Eigner said he’s proud of Emerson’s performance against the Beavers.

“He has found a role for himself,” he said. “It’s nice to see him earn opportunities and keep growing.”

St. Thomas is 5-10-1 in the CCHA, ranking seventh in the standings. Despite the record, the Tommies were able to play tight games with the Falcons, losing 3-2 in their last two matchups this season.

Eigner explained how St. Thomas plays competitively and aggressively against their opponents.

“They’ve played in a lot of really close games and have been tying games in the third with some really good teams,” he said.

The Falcons are expected to see CCHA Rookie of the Week Aaron Trotter between the pipes. Trotter had a 1.50 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage in their last series against the No. 13 Michigan Tech Huskies.

He reached a total of 63 saves over the weekend, achieving a league-high record for most saves in a series.

The Falcons will look to get six more conference points as they travel up to Mendota Heights, Minnesota, to face the Tommies for their last matchup of the season.