NMU Hockey splits series with Falcons

Courtesy of NMU Athletics

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio. – The Northern Michigan University hockey team fell 5-3 to Bowling Green State on Saturday (Feb. 23) evening for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association series split with the Falcons. The home team scored two goals with less than five minutes left in the third after the Wildcats tied it at three.

With the loss, NMU falls to 14-16-4 overall and 8-14-4-1 in the CCHA. The ‘Cats finished 5-13-1 overall on the road and 2-11-1 in conference action.

Northern jumped out to an early lead thanks to a five-minute power play less than a minute into the game. Junior forward Erik Higby continued his strong play with his eighth of the season and fourth goal in the last five games. Sophomore Mitch Jones and senior Kyle Follmer assisted on the goal 3:55 into the game.

BGSU (13-16-5, 10-13-3-1 CCHA) answered with three straight goals to take the lead. Andrew Wallace tied the game at 17:13 and Ben Murphy scored on the power play less than two minutes later for the lead just before the first intermission.

Ryan Carpenter scored midway through the second period (11:06) for the two-goal lead.

Freshman Darren Nowick buried his fifth of the season on the power player late (18:43) in the second period. Sophomore forward Ryan Daugherty and junior defenseman CJ Ludwig assisted on the goal.

Senior forward Brian Nugent picked up his fourth point in the last four games with his second of the season to tie the game at three. Daugherty and senior forward Kory Kaunisto assisted.

Robert Shea scored the game-winner, shorthanded, with 4:20 left on the clock. Brett Mohler added an empty-net goal to seal the win for the Falcons. Both goals were unassisted.

Junior goaltender Jared Coreau finished with 25 saves on the evening for the Green and Gold. Tommy Burke had 17 saves for BGSU.

NMU was 2-for-6 on the power play and the Falcons were 1-for-6. Each team took nine penalties.

The ‘Cats host U.P.-rival Lake Superior State next weekend to wrap up the regular season. The Lakers lead the season total goal series, 6-1, for the Cappo Cup. The puck drops at 7:35 p.m. both nights form the Berry Events Center.

Fans are encouraged to bring new socks to Saturday’s game to toss on the ice during the chuck-a-puck. The socks will be donated to the Room at the Inn.