March 3, 2007

Final Stats

OMAHA, Neb. - It had been a long couple days for the Bowling Green State hockey team, with weather delays and stoppages several times on their way to Omaha, Nebraska, but the Orange and Brown battled with a energy and passion all night, only to drop a 3-2 decision in overtime to the Mavericks of Omaha-Nebraska in the opening round of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. It was game one of the best-of-three series.

"I honestly believe that our team benefited from it," said BGSU head coach Scott Paluch about the team's travel issues. "Obviously it was a difficult trip, but it was one that our team rallied around. We took it as a positive and I think it helped us."

Derek Whitmore, who was coming off a CCHA Offensive Player of the Week honor after recording four points versus Michigan State, spotted the Orange and Brown a 1-0 lead at 13:33 of the first period, his 18th of the season. With the Falcons killing a Nebraska-Omaha power-play attempt, Ben Geelan grabbed a loose puck and pushed it forward to Whitmore, who had nothing put open ice between him and UNO's Jeremie Dupont. Whitmore beat the freshman five-hole.

Prior to Friday night, the last time the Falcons had a lead in Omaha, Nebraska, was back on November 13, 2004. It was also Whitmore's first career playoff goal.

UNO, the five seed of the CCHA tournament knotted the score at one apiece, at 13:46 of the second period of the stick of Dan Charleston.

BGSU looked to have regained their one goal advantage when Mike Nesdill took a slap shot from the point, and despite breaking his stick, he still beat Dupont glove side, but the post saved him, sending a loud ping to the rafters of the 17,000 seat arena.

The Mavericks took their first lead of the night at 4:35 of the third when Mick Lawrence beat Jimmy Spratt glove side for a 2-1 UNO lead.

James Unger's wrister extended the contest and evened the score at 2-2 at 16:06. Tomas Petruska fed the puck forward to a streaking Matsumoto down the left side. The Orleans, Ontario, native fired a wrister off the left pad of Dumont. The rebound came right to Unger's backhand. He turned and lifted a shot past the netminder to tie the score

"This is the same situation we have been in now for 10 straight games," said Paluch. "I liked the way our team stuck with it, but ultimately we gave up too many scoring chances."

On Matsumoto's very next shift he nearly ended the game when he was all alone from the blueline in, faked right, came back to his left, and with Dumont completely on his stomach he was able to stick out his right pad to stone the junior.

The last time BGSU participated in an overtime contest during the playoff season was on March 8, 2002, versus Michigan State.

Lawrence scored his second goal of the night at 4:24 of the first overtime to win game one, 3-2.

UNO held a 41-19 shot advantage, while the Mavericks went 0-for-6 on the power play and the Falcons were scoreless on four attempts.

BGSU and UNO will play again tomorrow night in game two of the best-of-three series. Opening face-off is set for 7:05 CT time.