2018 WCHA Semifinals vs. NMU (3/9-3/11)

[mbenecke]

It's time for Round 2, folks.

The Falcons will travel to Marquette to take on the Northern Michigan Wildcats in a best-of-three series, and the series schedule is as follows:

Friday, March 9 - @ NMU 7:07pm
Saturday, March 10 - @ NMU 7:07pm
Sunday, March 11 - @ NMU 7:07pm **

Earlier this year, we played NMU twice, with both games coming at their rink on the big ice, and we came away with losses both nights, 5-2 and 3-2 in OT.

The first game, we gave up 4 goals while killing a penalty. The second night, we gave up 1 goal while on the kill, and we also let them take the win (instead of a tie) with just 6 seconds left in OT. If we had gotten a single save more, we likely would be in a better spot in terms of the Pairwise. Overall, what I am trying to say is we were right there. If we don't beat ourselves, we get the win on Friday night. I do recall how clunky we looked on the big ice, so I hope we come ready to play on that this weekend.

NMU's overall record coming in is 23-13-3, and they enter this game after a 3-game series win over the 7-seed Alabama Huntsville Chargers this past weekend.

Goaltender matchup (using in-conference stats):

GAA
BGSU - Ryan Bednard - 1.99 (2nd, WCHA)
BGSU - Eric Dop - 2.59 (5th, WCHA)
NMU - Atte Tolvanen - 2.05 (3rd, WCHA)

Save Percentage
BGSU - Ryan Bednard - .920 (1st, WCHA)
BGSU - Eric Dop - .897 (11th, WCHA)
NMU - Atte Tolvanen - .917 (2nd, WCHA)

The Bednard-Tolvanen matchup is the key to this weekend, in my opinion. if we get the better goaltending, I believe we will be playing for a championship on March 17th.

Prediction:
I don't think it will be easy, but I do think that we will win this series. If we stay out of the box, they will have a hard time scoring on us.

NMU wins 3-2, BG wins 4-2, BG wins 3-1.

Go Falcons!

[pdt1081]

Need to find a sheet of big ice nearby for practice this week.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Need to find a sheet of big ice nearby for practice this week.

I was thinking the exact same thing last night. I'm not aware of any up in Toledo.

[It's the Journey...]

It's spring break. Get them on a bus and rent ice time at NMU.

[BGDrew]

As is they’ll have two practices on NMU’s ice. They typically leave late Wednesday night, drive through the night, then get a full practice on Thursday. Friday morning they’ll get a morning skate in as well. There’s really no reason to do anymore than that, especially being this late in the season when you’re trying to preserve the guys’ legs.

[mbenecke]

I'm really looking forward to this match-up. I think we can sweep if we play smart and stay out of the box.

[gmartin]

If we sweep we will move up to number 14 in pairwise. North Dakota and Omaha who are right in front of us play each other so the loser will drop below us. Perfect scenario is we sweep, Omaha and North Dakota split. Penn State get swept. That would actually then we was up to 13. Need to finish 14 to get the at-large bid as two bids will come from outside the top 16. Only question would be is if we lose in the finals would we drop more than one spot and most scenarios show us dropping to spots. But I too am looking forward to the series. I'm over in Wales so these games are pretty late for me this weekend but I think I'll manage okay.

[pdt1081]

I'm really looking forward to this match-up. I think we can sweep if we play smart and stay out of the box.

That part is mostly beyond the players' control..... See Schilling's "tripping" penalty.

[gmartin]

I think when it comes to playoff hockey, in the semifinals and finals all referee should switch conferences. I think it would be less bias that way.

[pdt1081]

I think when it comes to playoff hockey, in the semifinals and finals all referee should switch conferences. I think it would be less bias that way.

I really wouldn't call it bias. More like either incompetent or unconfident in their abilities. They were way too concerned with keeping the powerplays even, that they weren't calling the game as it happened.

[BGFan]

I think when it comes to playoff hockey, in the semifinals and finals all referee should switch conferences. I think it would be less bias that way.

I really wouldn't call it bias. More like either incompetent or unconfident in their abilities. They were way too concerned with keeping the powerplays even, that they weren't calling the game as it happened.

I don't recall even one interference penalty being called this past weekend and it was happening a lot. That was Ferris' primary defense.

[gmartin]

Slashing, hooking, boarding, checking, high stick but there were not any interference calls.

[gmartin]

Drop the puck you schmuck!!! Let's get it going.

[gmartin]

BG scores less than 2 minutes into the game. Always nice to get the early lead. Now lets build on it.

[Falconfreak90]

So far, so good. GO BG!