With a Third Period Comeback, the Falcons Down UAH 4-1

Friday, November 18

Huntsville, Ala.

8:07 PM

Bowling Green State University

5-7-1, 3-3-0WCHA

Alabama Huntsville

4-9-2, 4-5-2WCHA

Bowling Green

UAH

Photo by: Doug Eagan, UAH Athletics

November 18, 2016 | Ice Hockey

Box Score

By: Jenna Jorgensen (Assistant Director of Athletic Communications)

Box Score
Mercier Goal Call (1-1)
Spezia Goal Call (2-1)
Mercier Goal Call (3-1)
Schilling Goal Call (4-1)

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Bowling Green hockey program (5-7-1, 4-3-0 WCHA) extended its game-winning streak to three in a row on Friday night when it downed Alabama Huntsville (4-9-2, 4-5-2 WCHA) in Western Collegiate Hockey Association play by a 4-1 mark. The Falcons netted all four goals in the final period of play, while senior Pierre-Luc Mercier tallied two in a night for the second time in his career.

"We did not play our game enough of the time in the first period, but we started to turn it around and played better in the second period," Bowling Green hockey head coach Chris Bergeron said. "Then I believe we got what we deserved in the third period, after we took over second half."

After a scoreless first period, the Chargers were first to get on the board at 12:59 in the second period from a shot at the point. Despite getting the first goal, Alabama Huntsville was unable to respond to the onslaught of offensive pressure by the Falcons.

Just 2:16 into the third period, Mercier tied up the game by tucking in a rebound down low. Then midway through the period, junior Tyler Spezia helped the Falcons find its first lead of the night by scoring on a shot from the hashmarks of the right faceoff circle. The goal was Spezia's second of the season and fifth game-winner of his career.

With 2:08 remaining in regulation, the Chargers were called for its fourth tripping infraction of the game. Mercier was the one to capitalize on the power play as time dwindled down with a shot from the right hashmarks to stretch the Falcons lead to a 3-1 margin with 1:08 remaining in the game. It is Mercier's second time in his career scoring twice in a night, with the last time being at Northern Michigan on Dec. 6, 2014.

The goal was key in keeping the Falcons momentum strong through the remainder of the game. With the two-goal advantage and just 1:04 to play, Bowling Green forced the Chargers to pull its goaltender. Then with 32 seconds to play, sophomore John Schilling cemented the win with an empty net goal by coming up the center of the ice and scoring down low on the left side.

"As for special teams play, I really liked the power play goal to make it 3-1. That's a big time goal at a crucial time in the game," said Coach Bergeron. "To win the special teams game, that is a big deal and when we can do that, we can win most games."

On the night, junior goaltender Chris Nell made 19 saves, including a game-high of seven in the opening period of play.

"We were lucky to come out tied after the first period, and Chris Nell had a good period for us," Coach Bergeron said of Nell's play. "We had too many turnovers in the first and Huntsville showed that they can create opportunities on those turnovers."

Bowling Green held the advantage in shots by a 33-20 mark, and went 1-5 on the power play. It was also the second time this season that the Falcons have kept its opponents scoreless on the power play, as Alabama Huntsville was unable to capitalize on its four chances with the man-advantage. The Falcons are now on a three-game win streak this season, and have won 10 of the last 11 matchups against the Chargers going into tomorrow night's game.

The Bowling Green hockey team will conclude the series with Alabama Huntsville tomorrow evening with puck drop at 7:07 p.m. central time, 8:07 p.m. eastern.