By Ben Shanahan
Special to the Sentinel-Tribune
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — Bowling Green State University hockey (2-8 overall, 0-2, Central Collegiate Hockey Association) heads to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan this weekend to play longtime CCHA rival Lake Superior State (5-5, 2-2)) in the Falcons’ first road test in their conference schedule.
The Lakers and Falcons are no strangers to one another, first playing almost 53 years ago for the first time on December 12, 1970.
The Falcons currently hold the all-time win-loss record of 94-79-13, but the Lakers hold the lead in games played in Sault Ste. Marie (48-39-6), where both teams are set to take on one another this weekend.
The Falcons come off a tough series after being swept at home by St. Thomas in their conference openers, 4-1 and 4-3, but BGSU coach Ty Eigner says his team is taking it day by day heading into this weekend’s matchup against the Lakers.
“We have been trying to take things day by day,” Eigner said. “The results were not what we wanted last week, but the reality is we felt like over the course of the weekend we did some good things and the team played well, giving ourselves opportunity over the course of the weekend, but from a results standpoint, frustrating.
“We move forward because this is our next opportunity. That is how we operate, and our approach after the second game was, ‘Listen, fellas, we have to stay with this and continue to move forward and commit to being as good as we can be,’ and that is what they have done so far this week.
“We have a couple more days of practice before getting ready to play Friday,” continued Eigner.
One positive that the Falcons have had on the ice is the improved power play success. After struggling to connect early in the season, the BGSU special teams unit has now scored a man advantage goal in four of their last five games.
“Stavros Paskaris is in charge of the powerplay, and Stav and those groups have worked really hard at trying to get those results, and it is funny. We had a conversation earlier this week, and the first time as a staff, we looked at the stats and percentages of the powerplay, and it was higher than we all thought based on our feelings and expectations,” Eigner said.
“We felt like it was a very low percentage, but actually it was higher. There are capable players in that group.
“On Saturday, we scored that goal with Gustav Stjerberg, but we had lots of good chances. Later, Josh Noddler made a great play to Ryan O’Hara when the game was tied.
“Unfortunately, it did not finish, but it was a really good look. Setting up and getting good looks on the things we practice against our opponents, execution is key.
“It is nice to see them start to get momentum because the more you score, it gets contagious, and we believe it is on the right track,” added Eigner
For the Lakers, they look to be set up for a much improved season from last year, where they finished 9-25-2, and they are already 5-5.
“From what we saw on video from them, it looks like there’s buy-in from their group,” Eigner said. “Everyone is on the same page.
“Any external expectation or where people believe that theme would be ultimately what the players and coaches in the Lake Superior locker room are capable of, and they have done a good job.
“They are scoring goals lately. They have been in a bunch of games and have won. It is going to be a challenge credit to them at the end of last year, like all of us have reflected on how we get better and whatever they have done in the offseason has worked and they are in a good spot,’ continued Eigner.
Both squads are set to play in Taffy Abel Arena, with puck drop set for 7:07 p.m. on Friday and 6:07 p.m. on Saturday.
