Box score
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Bowling Green's Kevin Schmidt scored on a pass from Todd McIlrath and Dan Sexton 1:20 into overtime to beat Western Michigan, 2-1, in front of 2,316 fans at Lawson Arena on Saturday night.
Sexton passed the puck to McIlrath, who was streaking down the right side and passed the puck accross the ice to a pressing Schmidt to beat Western Michigan (6-17-1, 2-14-0) freshman goaltender Jerry Kuhn.
"This is our ninth game this season that we have lost by one goal," said head coach Jim Culhane. "We did a great job killing penalties, we competed at a high level. Right now, the puck just won't cross the red line for us."
Bowling Green (12-10-0, 9-7-0 CCHA) drew first blood midway through the first period on a goal by Derek Whitmore. Whitmore's 19th of the season beat Kuhn on his stick side after a pass from Sexton. McIlrath picked up a second assist on the goal and put BGSU up, 1-0. Bowling Green outshot the Broncos 17-8 in the first period.
Western Michigan deadlocked the score midway through the second period. WMU defensemen Kevin O'Connor took a pass behind the net and snuck the puck passed Falcon goaltender Nick Eno for his first goal of the season. Ryan Watson picked up his fourth assist on the season and Jeff LoVecchio picked up his seventh assist on the game tying goal.
With just three seconds remaining in the second period WMU winger Jeff Pierce took a pass and facing backwards, was able to put the puck in the net between his legs. The goal was revoked by the officials for Pierce being in the crease before the puck arrived.
Western Michigan and Bowling Green traded scoring chances in the third period but were unable to put any points up on the board. WMU had a chance late during a BGSU power play. LoVecchio intercepted a pass and fired the puck from the left point. Eno could not controll the rebound and LoVecchio skated in on net, but Eno was able recover in time and made a save on LoVecchio's second shot. Patrick Galivan took the rebound, but fired it wide.
"I think we played really well both nights," said Culhane. "I thought we had a real gutsy effort last night in a one goal game, ultimately they got the two empty netters but I was real proud how we worked down there. We were shorthanded tonight with injuries and penalties but I thought the guys stuck together and really battled."
Western Michigan hosts Ferris State on Friday, Jan. 25 at 7:35 p.m. and will travel to Big Rapids to finish off the home-and-home seriers the following night at 7:05 p.m.
