vs. Michigan Tech (10/25-10/26)

[mbenecke]

We've reached our first full home series of the season, as our Falcons (3-2-0) will host the Michigan Tech Huskies (2-2-0) on Friday and Saturday night this weekend. Each game will be played at 7:07pm at the Slater Family Ice Arena (Saturday is an Orange Out!), and they’ll both be available to stream on FloHockey. You can also listen to Ryan Vallon on the radio call, or follow @ BGFalconHockey on Twitter for updates throughout the game.

This is another team we're very familiar with, as we swept them out of the playoffs last season in the first round. This is a game between two of the better programs in the conference, and we need to prepare as such. I'm really hoping for a good crowd and a great atmosphere both nights this weekend.

Projected Goaltender Stats:

BGSU
Jr. Eric Dop... GAA - 2.61, SV% - .898, 3–2-0

Tech
Sr. Matt Jurusik… GAA - 1.76, SV% - .938, 2-2-0


Time to keep it rolling after the sweep of Western Michigan. Go Falcons!

[jpfalcon09]

Time for some #dirty hockey.

[TommyG]

??? Tech had over 100 fewer penalty minutes than BG last year.

[mbenecke]

??? Tech had over 100 fewer penalty minutes than BG last year.

Tech referred to BG hockey as "dirty" all over social media last year during the playoffs, so our fan base is having some fun with it.

[mbenecke]

I'm really looking forward to this one. It's my first chance to see this team in person since I went to Mankato last year.

It's going to be a solid October crowd, and I expect this team to come out hot. This has absolutely become our biggest hockey rivalry over the last few years.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

I'm really looking forward to this one. It's my first chance to see this team in person since I went to Mankato last year.

It's going to be a solid October crowd, and I expect this team to come out hot. This has absolutely become our biggest hockey rivalry over the last few years.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1187400380545753088" target="_blank

[mbenecke]

It's game day.

I'll be there, so I won't be providing in-game updates. I'll probably check back tomorrow morning to give my thoughts, which I know you're all dying to know. Go Falcons!

[jpfalcon09]

Good game tonight. Tech's lone goal came off a fluky bounce by the zamboni doors. BG dominated the final 40 minutes.

[mbenecke]

Good game tonight. Tech's lone goal came off a fluky bounce by the zamboni doors. BG dominated the final 40 minutes.

Absolutely my assessment as well. The Tech player tried to send the puck around the doors and Dop (naturally) followed it with his eyes, anticipating where it would be spitting out to his right. Instead it took a fluke bounce and another Tech player sent it into the back of the net. Fluke play that even I could have scored on, and I can't even skate.

But Eigner (or maybe it was Ford, I watched both videos back to back) mentioned in his presser that the guys didn't get down about it. It was also mentioned that we got some puck luck too, when they sent a pass off the glass and it bounced right to Letourneau on a breakaway. Weird stuff like that happens in hockey, but I felt like we carried that game for most of the last 45ish minutes, after we broke through with our first goal of the night.

It was great to see us go 3/3 on the PP for the night. Ford found the back of the net twice, and it was also nice to see Cullen score, too. I actually called it (humble brag) as it was happening, as I saw him crashing the net from the blue line on the back side and knew he could beat Jurusik if he got a good pass.

Great effort. Well-earned 3-1 victory. Now let's follow it up tonight with another effort like that and head to Mankato for a big series riding a 4-game win streak. Go Falcons!

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Bleacher Creatures need to come up with creative responses to the Tech fan's incessant "Let's Go Huskies" chant from puck drop to first whistle.

[mbenecke]

Very excited for tonight. I'm hoping we jump them early and stay on the gas the whole way. I know they're going to push us hard and they won't go down easy, but I think we can roll this team.

[mbenecke]

From the line charts, it appears Trevor St. Jean and Adam Conquest are replacing Adam Pitters and Chase Danol in the lineup tonight.

It also seems as though we will get our first look at Zach Rose in net tonight. Looking forward to seeing how he plays while Dop gets the night off.

[mbenecke]

End of 1, it's tied at 0.

Pace was fast and effort was high, but it felt like Tech carried play for most of the period, out-shooting BG by a tally of 9-4. Tough to find space on the ice in this one - lots of blocks and clogged shooting lanes.

[mbenecke]

For the 2nd night in a row, Tech gets the first goal of the game. Seems like Rose couldn't quite squeeze his pads tight enough and it trickles through.

And as I'm typing this, Max Johnson responds with a goal of his own.

We're even at 1-1.

[mbenecke]

Tech gets another. We're having a really tough time clearing the puck tonight.