MANKATO, Minn. — Bowling Green State University’s hockey team dropped below .500 for the first time this season after losing to No. 15 Minnesota State 4-1 on Friday in a Central Collegiate Hockey Association game at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.

BGSU fell to 5-6-2 (2-3-2 CCHA) with its third loss in its last five games. Minnesota State improved to 11-4-2 (6-1-2).

Freshman forward Adam Zlnka scored his first career goal to tally the lone score for BGSU. He corralled a loose puck off a save by Minnesota State goaltender Alex Tracy and found the back of the net at 9:18 in the first period to tie the game at 1. Ville Immonen and Tommy Pasanen earned assists on the even-strength goal.

Minnesota State, however, responded six minutes later with an even-strength goal by Brian Carrabes. Luke Ashton’s power-play goal in the second period and Kaden Bohlsen’s even-strength score in the third capped off Minnesota State’s scoring, while Adam Eisele put the Mavericks on the board in the first period.

Minnesota State had a slim 24-21 advantage in shots on goal. The Mavericks were 1 of 2 on power plays, while the Falcons were 0 of 1.

Cole Moore had 20 saves in goal for BGSU. Tracy racked up 20 saves for Minnesota State.

The Falcons and Mavericks will square off in the series finale at 7:07 p.m. Saturday in Mankato.

First Published December 6, 2024, 10:36 p.m.