By Ben Shanahan

Special to the Sentinel-Tribune

Bowling Green opened Northwest Hockey Conference Red Division winning on the strength of senior goaltender Matthew Brinkman, who saved 40 shots, and junior forward Rhett Winger scored two power play goals.

After BG’s win at Bowling Green State University’s Slater Family Ice Arena Sunday, the Bobcats improve to 5-4-1 overall while Perrysburg falls to 4-4 and 1-1.

The Jackets were coming off a thrilling 6-5 NHC Red victory over Toledo St. John’s Friday at Slater Arena, so the Bobcats knew they were facing a challenge.

“What we have been working on all year is how to have other phases of the game help when others may be down, and that first period exemplified that when our offense and defense were down,” BG coach Connor Rogowski said.

“Brinkman really kept us in that game and played incredible,” Rogowski continued.

Winger added, ““Two goals to win the game is great, but the win is all that matters to start the league— 1-0 is the most important thing.”

Perrysburg coach Kevin Fisher was pleased with his team’s effort but thought in a couple cases his team should have kept after it even after the 6-foot-2 Brinkman appeared to have the the door closed on them.

“I liked their refusal to quit. they worked hard,” Fisher said. “There were a couple instances where we took our foot off the gas and it hurt us.

“BG was better on special teams, and that was the difference tonight. Tip my hat to Connor. They played a good game.

“We had a real chance to steal some points, and to walk out of here getting shut out, their goaltender was great. We just could not get one past that big body. He stole one for them,” added Fischer

The first period was all Yellow Jackets, outshooting the Bobcats 13-2. Fortunately for the Bobcats, the shot totals would not matter as Brinkman saved chance after chance to keep the game scoreless going into the first break.

BG’s only two shots of the opening frame came on the power play as Perrysburg’s Trey Hanley was sent to the box for a cross-check. That penalty was killed off with a couple saves by goalie Collin Vore. Meanwhile, Perrysburg’s pressure made it hard for the Bobcats to gain zone entry.

The second period was more in the Bobcats’ favor, as shots were tied at 15 each. With 11:06 left in the middle frame, Hanley headed to the box again, this time called for a trip.

BGHS went on a 5-on-3 because one minute and fifteen seconds later forward Caden Seiple joined Hanley in the box after being called for interference.

With eight seconds left on the 5-on-3, the Bobcats break the scoreless tie as Winger took the puck from a pass by senior forward Cooper Feehan. On the right side of the net, Winger spun to shake off a defender and fired the puck, giving BG a 1-0 lead.

Soon after, Perrysburg got their first chance on the powerplay as BG sophomore defenseman Carter Chatfield was caught for a hold on Perrysburg forward Ryan Butler, who was on a breakaway.

Unfortunately for Perrysburg, neither Butler nor the power play unit were able to score and BG held the lead going into the final period.

With 8:33 left in the third, Perrysburg had another shot on the powerplay when BG sophomore forward Hayden Joseph was called for a hook.

That power play would not last long as Perrysburg’s Kadyn Driftmyer headed to the box, and both teams played 4-on-4.

The Bobcats scored on their short 30-second power play as BG senior defenseman Casey Moore fired one from the left dot and Winger tipped it into the back of the net, giving BG an insurance goal.