vs. Alaska (2/15-2/16)

[mbenecke]

Fresh off a much-needed weekend away from the ice, our Falcons return home to the Slater Family Ice Arena this weekend. We're right in the thick of a hotly contested race for playoff position, currently tied with Northern Michigan for 2nd place in the WCHA. Only 6 points separate 2nd place from 6th place, so it is absolutely imperative that we just keep winning games. Scoreboard watching season is already underway, and I am looking forward to an exciting finish to this playoff race. My hope is that we can secure the 2 seed so that we can be guaranteed to host playoff games through at least the semifinals, should we advance.

The next challenger in front of us is Alaska (9-17-2). Their record isn't great, but they've been heating up as of late, winning 4 of their last 6. We should absolutely sweep this series if we have any national tournament aspirations this year, but it's far from a given. With the style of hockey that Alaska plays, this series is going to be a physical grind, so we'll need to be at our best to secure two wins. I believe our boys will be up to the challenge. Friday night's game begins at 7:37pm, while Saturday night's contest starts at 7:07pm. The Bleacher Creatures are promoting a "Darken The Slate" theme for the weekend, so come on out and wear your brown/black both nights to support this team down the stretch!

Goaltender Stats

UAF
Anton Martinsson: GAA - 2.85, SV% - .907, 4–13-2
Gustavs Grigals: GAA - 2.87, SV% - .913, 5-4-0

BGSU
Ryan Bednard: GAA - 1.85, SV% - .925, 13-5-2
Eric Dop: GAA - 1.34, SV% - .948, 5-3-1

Alaska’s Last 6:
vs. Anchorage W, 2-1
vs. Anchorage L, 4-1
@ UAH W, 3-1
@ UAH W, 5-2
vs. BGSU L, 2-0
vs. BGSU W, 4-1

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

[pdt1081]

End of 1, BG leads 4-0. Shots are 14-3, BG.

[pdt1081]

End of 2, BG leads 6-0. Shots are 23-6, BG.

Getting just a bit fiesty out there.

[pdt1081]

8-0 final. Shots were 39-14.

[kdog27]

Probably leave us scratching our heads and lose tomorrow

[BG84]

Good job, boys! Same thing tomorrow.
(Alaska was pretty pathetic.)

[pdt1081]

It's interesting that the recaps of the game are saying one shorthanded goal, when in reality there were two.

[bgbill]

It's interesting that the recaps of the game are saying one shorthanded goal, when in reality there were two.

Yes, even the box score lists Dalton's goal as even strength, but shows only four players' numbers on the ice. McDonald was still in the penalty box. Radio recap also called it even strength.

[mbenecke]

Statement win?

[pdt1081]

Statement win?

Against two goaltenders that had very off nights? I don't think so. BG's style of play is one that generates most chances off the rush. Which creates and "end to end" game most of the time. Alaska was so focused on defense and blocking shots last night that I almost wonder if the starting goaltender wasn't 100% (sick?). I don't know, just speculation. The shots BG was taking were not difficult shots for a goaltender to stop.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

I thought Bednard was fighting the puck last night. With his injury time off and only seeing 14 shots I guess I'm not surprised. Dop tonight?

[unfalconbelievable]

What the hell. .......
Can we BG play back to back nights in 2019. When anything significant is on the line we tend to split ever damn weekend.

Down 3-1 in the 1st. Plenty of game left, but I had to turn off WBGU and go to the garage and listen on the radio for a bit. .....

[pdt1081]

End of 1, BG down 1-3. Shots are 13-10, BG.

[jpfalcon09]

Another split incoming.

[unfalconbelievable]

BGs tied it up at 3 4:30 to go in the 2nd.