BOWLING GREEN — Bowling Green State University’s hockey team broke down a barrier on Saturday night that had gotten bigger and bigger over the past several weeks.
For the first time this season, the Falcons completed a series sweep as Ryan O’Hara’s game-winning goal with less than seven minutes remaining gave BGSU a 4-3 victory over Ferris State in a Central Collegiate Hockey Association game at Slater Family Ice Arena.
After winning the first game but falling in the finale of each of its past three series, BGSU (7-11, 5-5 CCHA) secured its first sweep since mid-January at home against Bemidji State.
“It’s hard to sweep in this league, in any league, and [Ferris State] fought back really well in the third,” BGSU senior forward Spencer Kersten said. “We knew that we had to kick it up a gear if you’re going to win the game, especially in regulation.
“Scoring a goal with six minutes left is obviously a great feeling, especially when you get the lead, so we’re really excited about that and hopefully it continues into next weekend.”
BGSU had to overcome a huge start to the third period for Ferris State (5-10-1, 3-7 CCHA) when the Bulldogs scored two goals in the first nine minutes to tie the game at 3.
The Falcons, however, came through with a clutch goal.
Kersten dropped off a nice pass to O’Hara, who converted from the right side and from close range at the 13:26 mark to give the Falcons the lead. Ben Wozney was also credited with an assist on the even-strength opportunity.
“This team’s got no quit, and we’re always going to the net and finding ways to score,” Kersten said. “That was big for the last six minutes.”
Ferris State, which dominated with a 59-36 shots advantage (37-22 on goal), nearly took the lead with a little less than 10 minutes remaining on a BGSU power play. Stepan Pokorny and Jack Mesic got loose for a two-on-one shorthanded opportunity, but BGSU goaltender Cole Moore made a key save on Mesic’s shot to end the scoring chance.
Moore, a 6-foot-6 freshman who has been filling in for an injured Christian Stoever, made another critical save with 1:39 left as the Falcons notched the win.
“Even tonight when Ferris put us in some stressful situations, Cole seemed very comfortable, and I think the rest of the group sees that,” BGSU coach Ty Eigner said. “When the guy in the net is comfortable and looks confident, it goes through the entire team.
“When you have confidence in your goalie, and you can see he’s locked in, it certainly makes everybody else feel the same way.”
BGSU, which entered the game last in the CCHA in power-play percentage (14 percent), converted 2 of 5 opportunities on Saturday. Senior forward Josh Nodler scored both power-play goals for the Falcons.
His first came at 4:59 in the first period when he rifled a shot past Ferris State goaltender Logan Stein off a pass from Gustav Stjernberg. O’Hara also earned an assist on the play as BGSU took a 1-0 lead.
Nodler’s second goal came at 13:37 in the second period as the Falcons extended their lead to 3-1. Brody Waters and Brayden Krieger were credited with assists.
“Those guys did a good job on the power play, and kind of the sentiment in the room was to just keep shooting pucks and keep crashing in and doing what we’ve been doing,” Nodler said. “We’ve had some good chances, just hadn’t been going in a lot, so that was huge to capitalize a couple times on the power play, give us a little confidence and momentum.”
Kersten scored an even-strength goal from close range off a pass from Stjernberg to give BGSU a 2-0 lead at 3:14 in the second period. Brandon Santa Juana also had an assist.
Travis Shoudy scored an even-strength goal in the second period for Ferris State, while Nick Hale’s even-strength goal three minutes into the third trimmed BGSU’s lead to 3-2. Jason Brancheau’s power-play goal off an assist from Antonio Venuto tied the game at 8:41 in the third.
Moore stopped 34 shots in goal for BGSU, while Stein tallied 18 saves for Ferris State.
First Published December 10, 2023, 2:35 a.m.
