It was close for most of the game, but in the end, it’s still a stinging blowout.
Bowling Green scored six third-period goals — four in the final 7:33 — to rout UAH 8-3 on Saturday at the Von Braun Center, completing a two game sweep.
UAH (4-10-2 overall, 4-6-2 WCHA) held the lead twice in the game. It was the seventh straight game the Chargers held a lead, but they are now 2-4-1 in that stretch.
Bowling Green (6-7-1 overall, 5-3-0 WCHA) continued their hot pace, winning its sixth game out of seven.
Senior defenseman Brandon Carlson played his final game at UAH, it was announced during pre-game introductions. Carlson’s five-year eligibility window, which started when he enrolled in college classes while playing juniors, is expiring after playing 120 games as a Charger, scoring nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points.
There was no scoring in the first period, although each team had chances. The Falcons pressed the issue early on, pinning the Chargers in their zone for about three minutes. In the end of the frame, however, BGSU managed only seven shots on goal.
The goals came in the second period, with Bowling Green getting on the board early. Mitch McLain deflected Mark Friedman’s shot from the left point past UAH goaltender Carmine Guerriero just 45 seconds in for a 1-0 BGSU lead.
The power play was where UAH would grab the lead. At 10:40 of the second, Falcon winger Stephen Baylis checked UAH defenseman Brandon Parker from behind in a corner of the BGSU zone, earning him a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct.
The Chargers pounced immediately. Off the faceoff, Austin Beaulieu scored his first collegiate goal five seconds into the power play to tie the game at 1-1.
Alec Rauhauser’s interference penalty gave UAH a two-man advantage, and the Chargers scored quickly again to take the lead. Ten seconds into the 5-on-3, Parker was back on the ice and scored on a blast from the point with 6:23 left in the second.
Parker’s second goal of the season was assisted by Cam Knight and Josh Kestner.
It was the seventh straight game that UAH had held a lead, but with 1:34 left in the second, McLain tallied his second goal of the game on a rebound off the cross bar and a wide-open net to tie the game at 2-2.
More penalties filled the early part of the third period, and UAH took a 3-2 lead on a 4-on-3 power play at the 3:28 mark. Kestner got his fourth goal of the season on a one-timer from the left circle, assisted by Knight and Kurt Gosselin.
The lead lasted only 17 seconds as Tyler Spezia snuck one past Guerriero.
Brett D’Andrea gave Bowling Green the lead again at 4-3 at the 6:19 mark, and even with 10 minutes left, UAH was still in the hunt against the WCHA favorites.
Then, complete collapse.
The Falcons scored four goals in the final 7:33. Kevin Dufour scored twice — one on a Bowling Green power play after Gosselin committed a slashing penalty, then another with 1:34 to go right after Guerriero was pulled for an extra attacker and the Chargers down two.
Bowling Green then scored two garbage-time goals 21 seconds apart in the final minute of play for the final score of 8-3. First Lukas Craggs, then McLain to complete his hat trick.
Bowling Green only outshot the Chargers 30-28. Guerriero was tagged with seven goals on 29 shots.
The Chargers are off next week before hosting Ferris State on Dec. 3-4 to complete their homestand. UAH is now 0-5-1 at home this season.