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BGSU breakaway goal burns NMU icers

By Journal Sports Staff

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — After suffering a heartbreaking defeat at home last Saturday to Bemidji State, the Northern Michigan University hockey team knew it had to recover quickly as it took on a hot Bowling Green State team on the road Friday night.

However, the Wildcats couldn’t ground the high-flying Falcons, falling 3-1 at Slater Family Ice Arena.

BGSU came into the contest averaging more than five goals per game and having one of the best power plays in the country, but the Wildcats (2-5, 1-2 WCHA) kept the No. 9-ranked Falcons under control for the most part.

However, trailing by one goal in the third period, NMU gave up a backbreaking breakaway goal to the Falcons’ Brandon Kruse that basically sealed the win for BGSU (6-1-1, 1-0).

The Falcons opened up the scoring at the 8:52 mark of the first period when Taylor Schneider one-timed a pass from Stephen Baylis into the back of the net and BGSU maintained that 1-0 lead heading into the second period.

BGSU extended its advantage to 2-0 just two minutes into the second when Sam Craggs left the penalty box and fired a shot that rang off the pipe.

Craggs then collected his own rebound and put it past NMU goalie Atte Tolvanen.

The senior netminder finished with 24 saves.

The Wildcats answered back though at the 11:28 mark.

While on the power play, forward Troy Loggins got a pass off the face-off and fired a blast past Falcons goalie Ryan Bednard to cut Northern’s deficit to one goal heading into the third.

NMU had a good chance to tie the game with 15 minutes left in the game, but couldn’t cash in. With the Wildcats on the power play, Adam Rockwood sent a nice pass over to Darien Craighead, but Bednard made a sprawling save to the far post to maintain the Falcons’ slim 2-1 advantage.

The Wildcats will try to pick up a split tonight when they take on the Falcons at 7:07 p.m.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.

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