By Ben Shanahan
Special to the Sentinel-Tribune
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — Saturday, Bowling Green State University hockey completed the weekend series sweep by defeating Ferris State 3-1 in a Central Collegiate Hockey Association game at the R.L. Ewigleben Sports Complex.
The Falcons improve to 10-16 overall and 8-8 in the CCHA, while Ferris State falls to 10-18-1 and 6-13. It is the second time this year BGSU has swept a season series from Ferris State.
Bowling Green got ahead much earlier start than they did in game one of the series as when senior Ethan Scardina was the hero in the third period, scoring twice in the first period.
“We knew Ferris State would push hard tonight,so we needed to get off to a better start tonight,” BGSU coach Ty Eigner said.
“Getting the two goals in the first allowed us to settle into the game. The players did a great job all weekend staying with things and we were ultimately rewarded for how hard we played all weekend.”
This time, BGSU freshman Michael Bevilacqua, from a cross-crease pass, beat Ferris State goaltender Noah Geisbrecht with 15:41 left in the first period. Scardina tallied his fourth assist of the season and 17th of his career career while Brandon Santa Juana recorded his sixth assist of the season.
The Falcons doubled their lead around nine minutes later as sophomore Quinn Emerson’s shot bounced off Giesbrecht’s pads straight to freshman Ben Dorans, scoring his first goal of his college career with 6:59 left in the opening twenty minutes. Emerson and Seth Fyten were credited with assists.
Ferris State had a chance to cut into the Falcon two-goal lead as BG freshman Brody Waters was called for a hook, but the Falcons killed the penalty and remained up two with 2:48 left in the first.
In the final minute of the first, BG’s powerplay got a chance as Ferris State junior Zach Faremouth was called for holding, and the Falcons started the second period with a minute and one second still on the powerplay.
The Bulldogs killed off the rest of Faremouth’s penalty to start the second period. With 15:49 left in the second Ferris State senior Austin McCarthy and BGSU freshman Gustav Stjernberg both headed to the box, with McCarthy being called for a trip and Stjernberg being called for a crosscheck, and both teams played 4-on-4 hockey.
Both teams successfully killed off the 4-on-4 and went back to even-strength hockey. That was until, with 12:11 left in the middle frame, the Falcons powerplay headed back out, looking to add to the two-goal lead because Ferris State junior Nico Devita was called on a trip. The Bulldogs’ penalty kill stood tall, keeping the game 2-0.
Ferris State finally cut the Falcon lead in half as Faremouth made an unbelievable shot from behind the net, sneaking the puck past BGSU goalie Cole Moore’s right elbow.
FSU committed another penalty in the final minute of the period, but this time, Faremouth was called for a slash, and the Falcons headed into the final twenty minutes on the powerplay for one minute and 32 seconds.
The third period went back and forth with neither team giving an inch until 3:52 left in regulation. The Falcons went to the penalty kill when Doran was called for a hook.
The Falcons killed off the penalty, and the Bulldogs pulled their goalie, and with 15 seconds left in regulation, Falcon fifth-year Spencer Kersten scored the empty-net dagger. It is Kersten’s eight goal as a Falcon and 23rd career goal.
Ferris State had a 27-20 advantage in shots, the Bulldogs spent eight minutes in the penalty box to the Falcons’ six, and the Bulldogs won 26-of-51 faceoffs. Moore recorded 26 saves in getting the win in goal.
The Falcons host Lake Superior State next weekend in Slater Family Ice Arena (Feb. 9- Feb.10). The first game will be on Friday, February 9 puck drop set for 7:07 p.m.
The action will continue on Saturday, February 10 at 7:07 p.m. Saturday will serve at SICSIC Unveiling and postgame the Falcon hockey team will be signing autographs.
