By Ben Shanahan
Special to the Sentinel-Tribune
BEMIDJI, Minn. — Behind goaltender Mattias Shooll, Bemidji State University hockey defeated visiting Bowling Green State University, 3-1, in a Central Collegiate Hockey Association game Thursday.
The Beavers dominated the entire 60 minutes, outshooting the Falcons, 46-18.
“It was nice scoring first and second. It was nice playing with a lead, and for a team with a lot of guys out (with injuries), that is a big win,” said Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore
For the Falcons, they just could not get their offense moving. Freshman goalie Cole Moore saved 43 shots in a losing effort, but it was not enough.
“We need to give all credit to Bemidji State. They wanted tonight’s game more than we did, “said BGSU coach Ty Eigner.
The first period was all Bemidji State, outshooting the Falcons, 17-8. BSU went to the power play with 11:15 remaining as senior Ethan Scardina was called for an elbow, sending him to the box for two minutes. However, the Falcons killed off the penalty and kept the game scoreless.
That was until Bemidiji State sophomore Logan Acheson netted his first career goal with a shot from the right blue line, beating Moore between his left hip and the post with 7:22 remaining.
The Falcons had their chance on the man advantage when a sophomore extra skater for the Beavers. Patrik Satosaari, was sent to the penalty box with an interference penalty. The Beavers killed off the penalty with 1:40 left and headed into the locker room up one.
The second period was also controlled by the Beavers. At the 12:40 mark BGSU sophomore Brett Pfoh was called for interference but was killed by the Falcons’ penalty unit two minutes later.
The Beavers then extended their lead four minutes later with a goal off of a Moore rebound that found fifth-year player Carter Jones found. Carter fired it through the back of the net, making it 2-0.
Things got even worse for the Falcons 30 seconds later as they headed back to the penalty kill again because Tommy Pasanen had to sit for a hooking penalty. Luckily for the Falcons, the penalty was killed off.
Bemidji State junior Tony Follmer gave BG some momentum as he headed to the box for interference, but just like the momentum, the penalty was killed two minutes later and both teams head to the locker room with Bowling Green still down two.
Bowling Green started the third period off rough as Scardina took a five-minute major penalty for hitting from behind with 16:49 left in the game.
Luckily for the Falcons, they killed off the entire five-minute major but would immediately go back on the penalty kill. Thirty seconds later Ben Wozney headed off for interference, which was also killed off with 9:19 left.
Eigner pulled Moore down two for a 6-on-5 advantage with 3:36 left in the game. As a result, the Falcons spoiled the Beaver shutout. With a heavily trafficked crease, a puck bounced back to junior Tommy Pasanen, who fired a puck Sholl never saw, making it 2-1 with 2:36 left.
Ryan O’Hara threw his stick as a loose puck, going towards the empty net, taking a penalty but saving the goal in the meantime, but with 33 seconds, Bemidji State senior alternate captain Erik Martin scored an empty net power play goal.
