Bowling Green’s defensive play is improving.
Although the Falcons are tied for last in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association in goals allowed at
3.03 per game, they’ve allowed three or fewer goals and fewer than 30 shots in 10 of their last 16
games.
BG receives a major test this weekend when it visits 10th-ranked Notre Dame, the fifth-highest scoring
team in the country (3.67 gpg).
"We’re a better team defensively," BG coach Chris Bergeron said. "We have a sense of what
we want to do in the defensive zone … and we’re winning one-on-one battles in our defensive
zone."
The improved defense is the result of better play in all three zones, starting with a more effective
forecheck. Bergeron eventually wants to see BG allow an average of 2.5 goals and 20-25 shots per game.
BG is allowing 29.2 shots per game this season.
IRISH: ND, idle last weekend, is second in the CCHA with 44 points, one behind Miami and one ahead of
Michigan. Miami has played 24 games, two more than ND and Michigan.
ND is 16-9-5 overall and 13-6-3-2 in the CCHA.
REMATCH: Although the Falcons have only three league wins, they split a November home series with ND.
BG was a 3-2 winner in the first game, but ND posted a 6-3 victory in the second game.
AT ND: BG is 0-9-1 in its last 10 games at ND, its last win coming Jan. 29, 2005.
SLOAT: BG defenseman Jake Sloat remains questionable with a quad contusion that has caused him to miss
the last four games. The injury happened a month ago, but Sloat continued to play until he was
sidelined. The freshman plays in every situation.
"He’s still limping. You’d have thought it happened yesterday," Bergeron said. "This is
not a kid who is soft. This is not a kid who is looking for ways not to play. He’s looking for ways to
play. He’s closer to playing. He wants to be out there so bad. You’ve never seen a kid work on getting
back to playing harder than this kid."
PK: BG has killed off 14 of its last 16 short-handed situations.
