Bowling Green’s hockey contest against Wilfred Laurier doesn’t exist in the eyes of the NCAA.
But the Falcons are treating Saturday’s non-counting noon exhibition like it is a regular-season game.
"We’re going into every game wanting to win, including the two exhibitions," said BG coach
Dennis Williams, who is in his first season. "We’re going into this game like we do every game.
We’ll do a scouting report, we’ll do video … keeping everything the same.
"We know there will be areas to improve on after this weekend, but this gives us a start. One thing
that I want to make sure is in there is our effort, our discipline and our battling for pucks."
Saturday is the first day teams can hold official practices under NCAA rules, although teams have been
having limited individual and team workouts.
BG opens the regular-season Oct. 9-10 at Minnesota State-Mankato, with an another exhibition Oct. 16 at
home against the U.S. Under-18 team.
The Falcons then host Providence Oct. 23-24 in another non-league series before starting Central
Collegiate Hockey Association play with back-to-back road series against Nebraska-Omaha and Ferris
State. Last season, BG was 11-24-3 overall and 8-19-1 in the CCHA (last).
"A good start is huge," Williams said. "We want to build momentum and confidence."
Because BG is playing to win every game, no player is guaranteed to play in at least one of those games.
The only possible experimenting will come in seeing which forward lines and defensive pairings click,
and on the special teams.
"Guys are accountable for their play. If you want to play, show us what you’ve got," he said.
LAURIER: The Falcons were 5-1 winners last season over WLU, which usually is one of the better teams in
Ontario.
After playing BG, WLU visits Ferris Sunday.
NEW: Williams is pleased with BG’s 10 freshmen, many filling key roles.
"You’re trying to get the freshmen to understand how we play, that we compete every day,"
Williams said. "They’ve adapted quickly to that mentality. Practice is important and we’re fighting
for spots every day. That has to be their mentality. I’m very happy with them and they’re only going to
get better."
Andrew Hammond is expected to challenge for the starting job in goal, while Jordan Samuels-Thomas and
Nathan Pageau are expected to be impact scorers. Defensemen Max Grover, Ian Ruel and Robert Shea could
see a regular shift.
Forward Jerry Freismuth has played well during training camp, Williams said.
POINTS: The CCHA said Monday it will award three points for a regulation or overtime victory in league
games this season.
A shootout victory will earn two points, a shootout loss will be rewarded by one point, and a loss in
regulation or overtime will mean no points.
Last season, a regulation/overtime victory and a shootout win earned two points, a shootout loss gave a
team one point, and a regulation/overtime loser was awarded no points.
The change means every game will be worth three points and every series will be worth six points.
"You should be rewarded with more points if you win in regulation or overtime," Williams said.
"Every series is even more important because of the big point swings you can have."
Games that go to a shootout will continue to be counted as ties in the NCAA selection process.
FAMILY: Saturday’s exhibition matches the Williams’ brothers. Dennis’ brother, Dave, is an assistant
coach at WLU.
