Falcons’ season ends in heartbreaker against Ferris

By Momo Pfaff, [email protected]

And with that, the Falcons’ season comes to a close.

Bowling Green State University hockey lost 2-1 in overtime against the Ferris State Bulldogs at the Slater Family Ice Arena on Saturday.

With the Bulldogs’ sweep against Bowling Green, they advance to the semifinals.

BGSU also lost in overtime on Friday, 4-3, to Ferris.

The goalie matchup of the night remained the same as Friday, with sophomores Christian Stoever and Noah Giesbrecht in net.

Twenty seconds into the period, the Falcons were already on the power play.

The power play unit got more shots on net than the previous night, but none went past Stoever.

The rest of the period was filled with close chances and exchanging penalties, but the score stood at 0-0.

The second period saw more of the same, but things were getting chippier.

Halfway through the period, FSU winger Mitch Deelstra shoved BG forward Quinn Emerson into the boards, causing a mini scrum.

The physicality continued throughout the period, with both teams frustrated with their missed chances.

The third period is when the scoring started.

It took almost 50 minutes for the first goal to happen, but it was Ferris State who struck first.

Defenseman Brenden MacLaren scored on the first shot of the period for the 1-0 lead.

The third period was even more eventful than the previous periods, with the puck breaking a ceiling light with three minutes to play.

This delay allowed for both teams to deliberate, and the Falcons were desperate for a goal.

Finally, with a minute left, senior Chase Gresock tied up the game with a wrist shot.

Tensions were high, as Bowling Green had to face another sudden death overtime against the Bulldogs.

The extra period did not last long, as Bulldogs forward Nick Nardecchia hit a perfect shot past Stoever.

Ferris State players gathered on Slater ice, celebrating the tight win.

It was an emotional end to the season, as Falcon seniors seemed to be in tears at the end of the game.

Head Coach Ty Eigner reflected on the tough weekend.

“We all thought this group could come back for another series next weekend, but unfortunately we’re not,” Eigner said.

After Friday’s game, BGSU freshman defenseman Dalton Norris thought the Falcons still had the fight in them to win on Saturday and force a Sunday game.

He also said the defense is stressed because of injuries and other factors.

“We only have five back there, especially in the playoffs it’s going to be more physical games, so it is going to be tough, so for the guys to battle it’s pretty special,” Norris said. “We have a really good group of older guys who are back there showing the younger guys what to do. That’s a really tight group and a lot of resiliency.

Friday’s extra period was a nailbiter, with penalties going back and forth in a sudden death period. Both teams were fighting hard for the game-winning goal and FSU forward Nick Nardecchia happened to be the one ultimately credited for it.

Eigner challenged the goal call due to too many men. As fans held their breath, the officials signaled a good goal and the Falcons lost game one. Eigner explained what he thought the officials may have overlooked.

“Depending on how you read the rule book, if you are within 5 feet of the ice you are supposed to be good,” Eigner said.

“But the puck stayed in as a direct result of the player who was exiting the ice. He kept the puck in and without him being on the ice, that puck does not stay in the zone.”

Despite the loss, there were little victories during the game, including Norris’ first collegiate playoff goal.

“It was awesome. A really cool experience. Probably not the way I envisioned it, off of someone’s foot,” Norris said. “But at the end of the day we didn’t get the results we wanted so it stings a little bit.”

BGSU goaltender Christian Stoever played a career-high 73:36 in net, making 36 saves.