BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- Mike Soucier scored the game-tying goal in the third period but a pair of goals in the final 72 seconds of regulation propelled Bowling Green to a 3-1 win over the Bemidji State men’s hockey team Friday night at the Slater Family Ice Arena.
Goaltenders Michael Bitzer and Eric Dop kept zeros on the scoreboard through the first period as Bitzer made 11 saves in the frame and Dop nine.
The Falcons (7-5-4, 6-2-3-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association) were the team to strike first near the halfway point in the game.
Brandon Kruse ended the BGSU scoring drought at 10:41 of the second period with his goal that snuck through five-hole on Bitzer.
Soucier picked a good time to tally his first goal of the season for the Beavers (5-6-2, 2-4-1-1). With the score still at 1-0, the junior erased the Falcons’ lead at the 6:19 of the third period, sending a puck top shelf after receiving Jordan Heller’s feed from the corner.
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The game looked to be destined for overtime until Niko Coffman buried a shot from the point to regain a 2-1 lead for BGSU with only 1:12 remaining in regulation. The play was reviewed by officials but ultimately ruled a good goal, the first of Coffman’s career.
Bitzer left his net soon after for the extra attacker but Mitch McLain fired a shot into the empty net with 29 seconds to go to seal the 3-1 win. The victory moves Bowling Green into first place in the WCHA standings with 23 points, two ahead of idle Minnesota State.
Bitzer recorded 24 saves and helped BSU successfully kill all four BGSU power-play opportunities. Dop also finished with 24 saves as the Falcons edged the Beavers 27-25 in shots.
Bemidji State will look for its first win over Bowling Green in four games when the teams meet at 6:07 tonight for the series finale.
Bowling Green 3, Bemidji State 1
BSU 0 0 1 -- 1
BGSU 0 1 2 -- 3
First period -- No Scoring.
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Second period -- 1, BGSU, Kruse (McLain, Baylis), 10:41.
Third period -- 2, BSU, Soucier (Heller), 6:19; 3, BGSU, Coffman (Ford, Baylis), 18:48; 4, BGSU, McLain (Spezia, Meier), 19:31.
Saves -- BSU, Bitzer 24; BGSU, Dop 24.
