@ Alaska (1/18-1/19)

[mbenecke]

The new USCHO poll has been released, and Bowling Green has moved up a spot to 9th in the country.

Coming off their series split at Michigan Tech, our Falcons will now travel to Fairbanks, AK for another opportunity at a 6 point weekend, one which is desperately needed. The Nanooks are 5-15-2, so we have a clear advantage in that regard, but they always seem to play us tough, so we must be ready to go from the start.

This series is important for us, as we now sit 3nd in the WCHA standings. We trail Minnesota State by 5 points and Northern Michigan by 2 points, so it's imperative that we keep winning to keep the pace with those at the top of the conference. If we want any shot at the MacNaughton Cup, we must keep winning.

Goaltender Stats

UAF
Anton Martinsson: GAA - 3.35, SV% - .893, 1–11-2
Gustavs Grigals: GAA - 3.08, SV% - .911, 4-4-0

BGSU
Ryan Bednard: GAA - 1.78, SV% - .929, 12-4-2
Eric Dop: GAA - 1.58, SV% - .939, 3-1-1

Alaska’s Last 6:
@ Bemidji State W, 2-1 (OT)
@ Bemidji State L, 3-0
vs. NMU L, 4-2
vs. NMU L, 4-0
vs. LSSU L, 5-2
vs. LSSU L, 4-1

Leave your predictions and thoughts for this weekend below. Go Falcons!

Falcon Hockey Weekly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb6PQQblYO4" target="_blank

[jpfalcon09]

The trips to Alaska always make me nervous. I think BG sweeps but both games will be pretty tight. I believe the ice surface at Patty is bigger than NHL regulation too (200 x 85). Always makes for an adventure.

[pdt1081]

The trips to Alaska always make me nervous. I think BG sweeps but both games will be pretty tight. I believe the ice surface at Patty is bigger than NHL regulation too (200 x 85). Always makes for an adventure.

200x100. I guess the best part is they just played on the same size ice at Tech.

[BGDrew]

The trips to Alaska always make me nervous. I think BG sweeps but both games will be pretty tight. I believe the ice surface at Patty is bigger than NHL regulation too (200 x 85). Always makes for an adventure.

200x100. I guess the best part is they just played on the same size ice at Tech.

MacInnes is 200x85.

[mbenecke]

Yes, Tech's ice is the "standard" NHL size.

Huntsville - NHL
Anchorage - Olympic
Fairbanks - Olympic
Bemidji - NHL
Bowling Green - NHL
Ferris - NHL
LSSU - NHL
Michigan Tech - NHL
Minnesota State - Hybrid (200x90)
Northern Michigan - Olympic

[pdt1081]

The trips to Alaska always make me nervous. I think BG sweeps but both games will be pretty tight. I believe the ice surface at Patty is bigger than NHL regulation too (200 x 85). Always makes for an adventure.

200x100. I guess the best part is they just played on the same size ice at Tech.

MacInnes is 200x85.

Looks a lot bigger on TV.

[mbenecke]

I agree with that, the camera angles they use at Tech aren't the best and have a lot to do with that.

[mbenecke]

Per Thomas Schmeltz of the Sentinel-Tribune, G Ryan Bednard is out and will not travel to Alaska this weekend. He suffered what is being described as a lower-body injury in Game 1 at Michigan Tech, which is why we saw Eric Dop on Saturday night. He is considered week-to-week, and he may be out for a little bit, though it is not considered to be a season-ending injury. Sophomore and BGHS alum Brett Rich will serve as the primary backup during this time.

It's Dop's team now, and I hope he is ready to lead and make the most of this opportunity.

[unfalconbelievable]

Per Thomas Schmeltz of the Sentinel-Tribune, G Ryan Bednard is out and will not travel to Alaska this weekend. He suffered what is being described as a lower-body injury in Game 1 at Michigan Tech, which is why we saw Eric Dop on Saturday night. He is considered week-to-week, and he may be out for a little bit, though it is not considered to be a season-ending injury. Sophomore and BGHS alum Brett Rich will serve as the primary backup during this time.

It's Dop's team now, and I hope he is ready to lead and make the most of this opportunity.

If the people in front of the goalie play to expectation then the next four games it shouldn't matter who's in goal. It would be nice to have him back for Northern series.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

This could be a good thing. We struggle shaking off the travel rust on these trips, having to focus and execute given the situation may shake that rust off faster.

In my beer league one year our goalie was on vacation so one of the forwards donned the equipment. We defensemen really stepped up our game (mantra was "no shots allowed"). It worked very well until I sprained my knee and missed the next 4 weeks.

[pdt1081]

If the people in front of the goalie play to expectation then the next four games it shouldn't matter who's in goal. It would be nice to have him back for Northern series.

I've always thought Dop was the better goaltender, the team just plays better in front of Bednard.

I'm afraid staying healthy in this hack and whack league is going to be a struggle.

[BGhockeyfan94]

If the people in front of the goalie play to expectation then the next four games it shouldn't matter who's in goal. It would be nice to have him back for Northern series.

I've always thought Dop was the better goaltender, the team just plays better in front of Bednard.

I'm afraid staying healthy in this hack and whack league is going to be a struggle.

Speaking of staying healthy...does anyone know if Lukas made the trip up?

[mbenecke]

Lukas Craggs did not travel. He is missing both games this weekend. Hopefully he'll be back next weekend.

[pdt1081]

End of 1, BG down 0-1. Shots are 6-12, bad guys.

[jpfalcon09]

No surprise, came out flat. A win tonight moves BG to 8th in the PWR, a loss to 15th. Huge swing game.