Relentless BGSU Seems Primed For History

by Christopher Boulay/CHN Writer (@chrismboulay)

"Relentless."

That’s what’s posted on the wall in the Bowling Green locker room, and it encapsulates just how the team performed during the first half on all parts of the ice.

The Falcons are at or near the top of every statistical category in the nation and are primed to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 1989-90 season.



With 16 games left in the season, Bowling Green sits just a point behind Michigan Tech in the WCHA standings, and likely will be favored in every matchup from now until March. It won’t be easy — you have to play the games — but it can be argued that there hasn’t been a Falcons squad that is this well-equipped to make the NCAA tournament since they last got there under Jerry York.

The biggest statement Bowling Green (13-3-3, 8-2-2) made was a sweep against conference rivals Minnesota State to the tune of a pair of 4-1 victories to end the first half, extending their unbeaten streak to seven games.

“It was obviously a huge series for us. What makes it such a big series is the way Minnesota State has played since this new WCHA formed,” Bowling Green head coach Chris Bergeron said. “They’ve been the model program — the way they operate, the way they play, obviously the results. Everyone’s chasing them and deservedly so. They’ve been great. For us to play a series at that time of the year against that caliber of a team and program, and then get the results (...) and play the way we played. We felt like they were the two best back-to-back games we’ve played over the course of the first half."

That sweep catapulted the team to eighth in the Pairwise, and barring a near unprecedented collapse, Falcons fans should be booking tickets to regionals.

If you’re in the top 10 in January, you have games to play after the conference tournament. There have only been a handful of teams over the years who have epically collapsed and dropped out of a tournament spot.



Near every time Bowling Green has a good team, 1990 is brought up. It’s not fair, but hockey is results-driven. The school fielded notably good teams near every year since it joined the WCHA, and the talk remains and will until it’s officially put to bed by an at-large bid or via the WCHA Tournament.

“We don’t really talk about it, but everyone’s aware of the situation,” junior forward Lukas Craggs said. “Every day we’re trying to get better, and if we continue to do things right, it’ll happen on its own.”

Bergeron’s team had a front-loaded nonconference schedule, and wins over Ohio State, Western Michigan, Mercyhurst and Robert Morris headlined a 5-1-1 October, setting the foundation for what could be the best year yet under the ninth-year coach.

“Coming into the year, we knew we had a good group, and I think we’re showing it now,” junior goaltender Ryan Bednard said. “As the year is coming to an end, I think we can do something special with it. There’s definitely a lot of energy in there.”

The team is led from the back by Bednard, who has a .927 save percentage, significantly better than last year’s .916. But the help from the defensive unit has played a large role in his statistical growth. Bowling Green allows just 1.74 goals per game, second to only Quinnipiac, and it’s a group effort. The defensive corps, led by Alec Rauhauser, has been the best in the WCHA, allowing nearly a 0.5 goals per game less than Minnesota State.

Offensively, the team is deep and doesn’t depend upon one player to get the job done. Currently sitting at 7th in the country for scoring offense, they’re led by sophomore Brandon Kruse, who already has six goals and 19 assists, well on pace to shatter last year’s mark of 8-25-33. Seven total players have double-digit points, including Lukas Craggs, who leads the team with 12 goals.

Skating and puck possession are two noticeable talents watching this team for even a few minutes. The cohesion on the ice is notable, and led by Kruse, passing as a unit is strong. The Falcons’ 5v5 Corsi For is 58.1 percent, fourth in the nation. Additionally, they have a Shots For percentage 55.87%. They’re dominating on the puck.

“One-hundred percent (offensive cohesion) improved, and it’s becoming more consistent,” Bergeron said “It’s very similar to the defensive mindset, where it starts as work. We want to work. It’s tougher to teach offense, but we want to start with our work ethic. We want to be relentless.”

Bowling Green is relentless.

The Falcons head into the second half with a pair against Bemidji on Thursday and Friday. Other than the following weekend’s series against Michigan Tech, there isn’t a team left on the schedule with an overall record currently above .500.

Despite the road, Bergeron and his players aren’t allowing themselves to peek too much at their spring plans. They haven’t been there, and they still have to earn it.

“We’re really trying to work on this in a small picture approach. That is, let’s worry about getting better each day in practice. Bergeron said. “We are in absolutely no position to look beyond and look at the second half as 16 games. We’re looking at the second half as starting Thursday against Bemidji State.”

This slogan may have been the perfect choice for what is a dangerous Falcons team. Now, a strong finish can earn them the respect they’ve lacked on the national level.

They’ll have to be relentless to finish the job.