SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — Bowling Green State University scored two goals in the final 6½ minutes — the last via an empty net — as the Falcons defeated Lake Superior State 5-3 on Friday night at Taffy Abel Arena.

The win was the Falcons first in CCHA play this season, improving their record to 3-8 overall and 1-2 in the conference.

Bowling Green’s five goals scored was a team best through 11 hockey games played.

The go-ahead goal for the Falcons came with 6:21 remaining, as Brett Pfoh notched his first of the season, assisted by Quinn Emerson. The Falcons added an empty net goal by Ryan O’Hara — his second of the game — with just under two minutes to play that sealed it.

O’Hara notched the game’s first goal 12:42 into the first period, but the Lakers tied it at 1-1 with 35 seconds left in the period on a shot by Dawson Tritt, and that was the score at first intermission.

The team combined for four goals in the second period.

Bowling Green took charge, as Gustav Stjernberg scored 5:41 into the second, and Josh Nodler’s goal at 7:56 made it 3-1 Falcons.

Only 1:13 after Nodler’s goal, Lake Superior’s Jared Westcott found the back of the net to make it 3-2. The Lakers tied the game 3-3 at the 17:04 mark of the second.

Bowling Green outshot Lake Superior 32-21.

The Falcons and Lakers were a combined 0 for 7 on the power play. In net, Bowling Green’s Cole Moore made 18 saves. Ethan Langenegger stopped 27 shots for Lake Superior.

Bowling Green will complete the two-game weekend set with Lake Superior on Saturday as they look to make it two wins in a row. Puck drop is set for 6:07 p.m.

First Published November 18, 2023, 4:09 a.m.