If it weren’t for a sliver of good luck, the Chargers would have no luck at all.
The 12th-ranked Falcons of Bowling Green defeated UAH 2-1 at the Von Braun Center on Sunday to complete a series sweep.
The Chargers’ lone goal was an own goal, and technically one of only 14 shots on net for UAH (1-13-0 overall, 1-7-0 WCHA). Meanwhile, Bowling Green (10-3-2, 5-2-1) fired 37 on goal.
UAH goaltender Jake Theut had a solid outing with 35 saves to keep the game close. Meanwhile, Bowling Green goalie Eric Dop stopped all 13 shots he faced, though the empty net goal prevents him from officially recording a shutout.
The Falcons opened scoring again with nifty passing on a 3-on-1 break. Casey Linkenheld buried the one-timer with 8:55 left in the first period.
Some not-so-nifty passing by the Falcons resulted in a tie game with 6:20 remaining in the frame. With the Bowling Green net empty for an extra attacker because of a delayed penalty against the Chargers, the puck deflected off a Falcon defenseman near the UAH blue line and traveled all the way down the ice into the BG goal.
HIGHLIGHT: Ran the ol' delayed-penalty-empty-net-goal play again. Good times.#UnitedWeCharge @Buccigross @NCAAIceHockey @ESPNAssignDesk pic.twitter.com/wJHmjZN9HM
— GameDayUAH (@GameDayUAH) December 2, 2018
It was the second time in almost three years that UAH was the benefactor of an own goal during a delayed penalty. The other time was Feb. 12, 2016 at the VBC, where a similar play cost Minnesota State in a 3-3 tie.
The goal was credited to Jack Jeffers, his fourth of the season. The Chargers killed the ensuing hooking penalty on Drew Lennon.
There was no scoring in the second period. The Falcons ratcheted up the pressure, however, outshooting the Chargers 14-6.
Bowling Green regained the lead at 2-1 just 48 seconds into the third period on Lukas Craggs’s backhander.
From there, the Falcons continued to dominate possession and prevent the Chargers many chances at a real goal to tie it up. Bowling Green outshot UAH 14-4 in the third for the 37-14 total.
UAH travels to Bemidji State next weekend, not returning to the VBC until Jan. 4-5 against Ferris State.