Hockey season ends in Game 2 at No. 15 Bowling Green
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Michigan Tech (14-20-4, 13-12-3-1) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
|
Bowling Green (23-9-5, 16-8-4-3) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The 2018-19 Michigan Tech hockey season ended Saturday (March 9) with a 6-2 loss at No. 15 Bowling Green. The Falcons won the best-of-three WCHA first round playoff series and advance to the semifinals.
"The guys played really hard," Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. "I'm so proud of the way Lucchini and Smith played tonight. They were fun to watch and fun to coach.
"I'm proud of the seniors for the effort they put in tonight and all season long, and I just absolutely love our fans and band for their support."
Tech opened scoring 4:35 into the game, capitalizing on the first power play. The Huskies entered the zone and created a 2-on-1 with Trenton Bliss and Jake Lucchini. A centering feed by Bliss was redirected in by Lucchini. Alex Smith had the secondary assist.
BGSU (23-9-5) then scored three straight to take a two-goal lead. Adam Smith scored at 5:49 to tie the game. Max Johnson put the home team in front at 9:30, and Connor Ford scored on the power play at 10:24.
Lucchini cut into the lead, scoring his second of the night and 11th of the season at 11:54 of the first period. Smith saucered a pass out front that Lucchini tipped in. Seamus Donohue also assisted.
Max Johnson scored his second of the game 7:36 into the second period for a 4-2 Falcon lead.
BGSU then tacked on two more in the final 20:00. Frédéric Létourneau scored on a penalty shot 9:08 into the third after he was given another chance when Matt Jurusik stopped his first breakaway chance.
Connor McDonald scored an empty net goal at 11:05 after Tech added an extra attacker while on the power play.
Shots in the game were 35-27 in favor of BGSU. Jurusik finished with 25 saves. Devin Kero played the final 8:55 for the Huskies and stopped four shots. Ryan Bednard had 25 saves for the home team.
The teams combined for 11 minor penalties. Tech was 1-for-7 on the power play and 1-for-3 on the penalty kill.
Tech finished the season with a 14-20-4 overall record. The last time Tech lost a best-of-three series was in 2014 at Bowling Green
Saturday's game was the last for seniors Keegan Ford, Jake Jackson, Devin Kero, Jake Lucchini, and Dylan Steman. All but Jackson played in the game.
Bowling Green travels to Northern Michigan for the second year in a row for the WCHA semifinals. Minnesota State hosts Lake Superior State in the other matchup.
