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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Notre Dame
Falcons Notch First Win of Season at Notre Dame, 5-3
October 17, 2003 | Ice Hockey
Oct. 17, 2003
South Bend, Ind. - Jordan Sigalet had a record-breaking night to help Bowling Green snap a six-game losing streak to Notre Dame as the Falcons registered a 5-3 victory Friday night. Sigalet recorded a school-record 56 saves in net as BGSU notched its first win of the 2003-04 season.
Sigalet broke a 29-year-old school record of 55 saves set by Al Sarachman vs. Michigan State on Dec. 8, 1974, when he stopped 56 out of 59 shot attempts by the Irish. The Surrey, British Columbia, native had 22 saves in the second and third periods each and also stopped 23 of 24 shots by Notre Dame on the power play. The latter stat helped keep the Irish power play just 1-for-8.
"Jordan was terrific tonight and gave us the chance to win the game," said BGSU coach Scott Paluch. "We've been looking for that first win of the year."
The 56 saves marked the ninth time in Sigalet's career he has recorded 40 or more saves in a game. His previous best was 48 saves (three times). The last Falcon to stop more than 50 shot attempts was Tyler Masters on Dec. 28, 2001, vs. #3 Denver (51 saves).
"Nothing distracts you and you're eyes are on the puck," Sigalet said about being in the zone he was in on Friday. "Guys knew it was do or die tonight. At critical times we got some big goals."
The first critical goal was the first goal of the game, which came at 13:54 of the first period and gave BGSU its first lead of the season. D'Arcy McConvey deflected a Kevin Bieksa slapshot from the top of the circles on the power play that found the back of the net. BGSU's first power-play goal was the first goal for the season for McConvey and was also assisted by Jonathan Sigalet, who picked up his first career point as a Falcon.
Freshman Rich Meloche netted his second goal of the season and the second power-play goal of the game for BGSU at 2:27 of the second period for a 2-0 Falcon lead. Notre Dame stormed back, though, and scored the next three goals of the game to stake a 3-2 lead. It was BGSU's turn to answer, though, as they netted three unanswered goals to finish the game.
Ryan Minnabarriet extended his point streak to three games with his first goal of the season at 17:26 of the second period to knot the game at 3-3. Then Bieksa gave BGSU the lead for good at 3:18 of the third period with a hard slapshot from the top of the right circle. Freshman James Unger put the finishing touch on the win with his first collegiate goal at 15:38 of the third period for the final 5-3 verdict.
Thanks in large part to Sigalet's goaltending, BGSU killed off Notre Dame's final six power plays, including four in the third period.
The last win for BGSU over the Irish came Dec. 8, 2001 (4-2) and the last victory in South Bend for the Falcons was nearly seven years ago (Jan. 11, 1997, 3-2).
BGSU (1-2 overall and in the CCHA) hosts Notre Dame Saturday, Oct. 18, in the home-opener for the Falcons at the BGSU Ice Arena. The Falcons will debut new home jerseys for the Falcon faithful. Face-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
NOTE: Saturday's game between BGSU and Notre Dame will not be aired by WBGU, 88.1 FM.
