Tonight's contest between the Bowling Green Falcons and the Michigan State Spartans (also the contest btw. U of M and LSSU) saw two incredibly well-matched teams battle for the spot in the Championship game. Unfortunately for BG, their lackluster 1st period doomed them to finish on the short end. For those in attendance, or viewing on TV, this game, as the one preceding it, was a nailbiter to the end. There's not a lot to say except that if the Falcons had played the first 20 minutes like the last 54, they probably could have taken the game. MSU scored three goals without a single score from BG, and then BG reversed the trend by scoring three unanswered goals to tie and send the game to overtime. MSU had the final word on a breakaway at 14:59 of the overtime to win. Both goalies looked excellent and came up big repeatedly for their teams. MSU opened with a goal from Rem Murray precipitated by BG's failure to clear the zone and allowing too many chances down close. The only other score came on the power play when Dean Sylvester manages to catch Mike Watt's shot from the point in mid-air and tip it into the goal (an unbelievable re-direct). BG also manages to dodge a bullet at the end of the period when Matt Eldred flagrantly hooks a MSU player around the neck (one of the stupidest moves I've seen in a long time - and dangerous too). I don't know what explanation went on, but not only did BG escape the major (or DQ) - they didn't even call a penalty (hopefully someone can explain this one someday to me?!?) Also of interest - Linesman Kelly took a hit above the eye midway through the period, and was replaced for almost all of the 2nd period by Linesman Dorblzewski (sp?) from the 1st game - while Kelly (apparently) got stitches. The second period again started with MSU as Will Clarke comes way out of position to play a puck coming into the zone and gets burned by Richard Keyes. Here the game turns in BG's favor, though (and there were many of us who were beginning to wonder). Mike Johnson makes an excellent stretch going down to poke the puck out of the BG zone. It is pushed ahead perfectly to a waiting Mike Hall who runs with it on the breakaway. BG follows this up with their 2nd when Matt Eldred centers the puck from the point to Kevin Lune, who, facing backward flings the puck behind him towards the net to score. It takes most of the 3rd period to accomplish it, but the Falcons manage to tie the game when Brian Holzinger manages to redirect Kelly Perrault's shot between Mike Buzak's legs. Once again, we were to sit on edge and be treated to some fine playmaking as both teams go at it in the overtime, but Steve Guolla was to end the game with his one-on-one shot low left at 14:59. Scoring 1st Period MSU Murray / Sylvester / Suk 2:55 MSU Sylvester / Watt / Keyes 12:09 PP 2nd Period MSU Keyes / Tuzzolino / Sullivan 5:36 BG Hall / Johnson 9:45 BG Lune / Eldred / Ackerman 15:12 3rd Period BG Holzinger / Perrault / Fry 16:27 Overtime MSU Guolla / Tuzzolino 14:59 Penalties 1st Period MSU Crane Boarding 4:50 MSU Sullivan Holding 9:30 BG Johnson Tripping 11:54 BG Eldred Hooking 12:57 BG Perrault Hooking 16:05 MSU Berens Cross-Checking 16:49 4/4 BG Holzinger Interference 17:13 4/3 2nd Period MSU Clarke Interference 2:51 MSU Harlton Interference 7:10 BG Perrault Tripping 10:08 BG Crombeen Hooking 15:40 3rd Period BG Lune Holding 7:52 BG Johnson Hooking 19:13 Overtime MSU Smith Hooking 6:20 Saves: Clarke (BG) 14 5 8 1 28 Total Buzak (MSU) 7 10 9 9 35 Total Power Play BG 0/5 MSU 1/8 Referee: Matt Shegos; Linesmen: Kelly (Dorblzewski), Schug Time: 3:13 ****Hobey Baker Watch**** Brian Holzinger scored 1 goal tonight. This week he also raked in 1st Team CCHA, All-Academic Team (3rd year in a row), and Player of the Year! ****Falcon Dominance**** Kelly Perrault also earned Best Offensive Defenseman, and Buddy Powers earned CCHA Coach of the Year! - Dean Bell BGSU Falcon Hockey Is Back Where It Belongs Brian Holzinger for Hobey Baker!