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2023–24 Bowling Green Falcons men's ice hockey season

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2023–24 Bowling Green Falcons
men's ice hockey season
Conference6th CCHA
Home iceSlater Family Ice Arena
Rankings
USCHONR
USA HockeyNR
Record
Overall13–22–1
Conference11–12–1
Home7–10–0
Road6–12–1
Coaches and captains
Head coachTy Eigner
Assistant coachesCurtis Carr
Stavros Paskaris
Dylan Schoen
Buddy Powers
Bowling Green Falcons men's ice hockey seasons
« 2022–23 2024–25 »

The 2023–24 Bowling Green Falcons men's ice hockey season was the 55th season of play for the program and the 45th in the CCHA. The Falcons represented Bowling Green State University, played their home games at the Slater Family Ice Arena and were coached by Ty Eigner in his 5th season.

Season

[edit]

Just before the start of the season the team's leading scorer from last season, Austen Swankler, abruptly left school and entered the transfer portal.[1] Shortly afterwards, head coach Ty Eigner was placed on leave and three players were suspended due hazing allegations.[2] A little over a month later, an independent investigation discovered that older players had provided alcohol for underaged persons at an off-campus event. At the time there was no evidence that Eigner or any of his staff were aware of the behavior so the coach was reinstated. However, due to the nature of the violation, the school's athletic director, Derek van der Merwe, began to directly oversee the program while requiring the coaching staff to receive additional training to prevent a recurrence.[3] This incident was particularly galling for Bowling Green as the school was still recovering from the 2021 death of Stone Foltz that led to hazing becoming a felony under Ohio state law.[4]

The season progressed under a cloud and saw the get off to a very poor start. With the offense missing six of its top seven scorers from a year ago, the team desperately needed to be coached into a cohesive unit, something Eigner could not do while suspended. As a result, the Falcons didn't show much ability to score until November. The defense, too, suffered early and returning starter Christian Stoever was soon replaced by Cole Moore in goal. As a freshman, it took Moore took some time to get up to speed. He started to look like he had sorted himself out right about the same time that the offense began to come out of its hibernation. Beginning in mid-November, Bowling Green started acting like a functional team and was able to earn a split or better for four consecutive weeks. The steady play from the Falcons had them in the middle of the CCHA standings by Christmas.

The Falcons opened the second half of their season with a pair of defeats to Ohio State. The losses gave BG a terrible non-conference record and left the Falcons only one path to the NCAA tournament: a conference championship. The team took that to heart and once they resumed conference play, Bowling Green rolled over their competition. Over a month-long stretch, the Falcons went 6–1–1 and put themselves within shouting distance of a 1st-place finish. The offense looked better than it had all season and didn't even stop when their leading scorer, Ryan O'Hara, was injured on February 3.[5]

Just when it appeared that the team was heading for a home stand in the postseason and a better than average chance at a championship, the offense vanished. Bowling Green scored just 2 goals in its final four games. The four losses dropped the Falcons to 6th in the standings and forced them to hit the road for the quarterfinals. The opening match with Michigan Tech saw more of the same with the team getting shutout for the third time in as many weeks. The offense did show some signs of life in the third period and was able to continue that trend into the rematch. With their season on the line, the Falcons opened strong with two goals in the first 8 minutes. A lapse at the start of the second allowed Tech to take the lead but BG was able to regain the lead in the middle of the period. With their narrow lead, Bowling Green could ill-afford any mistakes but that's exactly what happened. The Falcons tool a pair of penalties in rapid succession to give the Huskies a lengthy 2-man advantage. Michigan Tech scored twice more before the third to retake the lead. BG tied the game once more at the start of the final frame but then continued to commit infractions. The Falcons were whistled for two minors in the third and while they were able to kill of the first, Tech netted its fourth power play goal of the game on the latter and swept the Falcons out of the postseason.

Shortly after the conclusion of the season, Eigner was fired.[6]

Departures

[edit]
Player Position Nationality Cause
Alex Barber Forward  United States Graduation (signed with Jokers de Cergy-Pontoise)
Nathan Burke Forward  United States Graduation (signed with Orlando Solar Bears)
Max Coyle Defenseman  Canada Graduation (signed with Indy Fuel)
Evan Dougherty Forward  United States Graduation (signed with Atlanta Gladiators)
Chase Gresock Forward  United States Graduation (signed with San Jose Barracuda)
Hunter Lellig Defenseman  United States Graduation (retired)
Anton Malmström Defenseman  Sweden Signed professional contract (St. Louis Blues)
Adam Pitters Forward  United States Graduate transfer to Long Island
Zack Rose Goaltender  Canada Graduate transfer to Augustana
Taylor Schneider Forward  United States Graduation (retired)
Austen Swankler Forward  United States Transferred to Michigan Tech
Zach Vinnell Defenseman  Canada Graduation (signed with Indy Fuel)

Recruiting

[edit]
Player Position Nationality Age Notes
Michael Bevilacqua Defenseman  United States 20 Hamburg, NY
Ben Doran Forward  United States 20 Chesterfield, MO
Spencer Kersten Forward  Canada 23 Waterloo, ON; graduate transfer from Princeton
Breck McKinley Defenseman  Canada 19 St. Albert, AB
Cole Moore Goaltender  Canada 20 Toronto, ON
Josh Nodler Forward  United States 22 Oak Park, MI; graduate transfer from Massachusetts; selected 150th overall in 2019
Nicholas O'Hanisain Defenseman  United States 21 Detroit, MI
Owen Ozar Forward  Canada 23 Prince Albert, SK; transfer from Denver
Tommy Pasanen Defenseman  Finland 22 Schweinfurt, GER; transfer from Clarkson
Adam Schankula Forward  Canada 20 Newmarket, ON; joined mid-season
Brandon Santa Juana Forward  Canada 21 Langley, BC
Gustav Stjernberg Defenseman  Sweden 20 Enebyberg, SWE
Brody Waters Forward  Canada 21 Heidelberg, ON

Roster

[edit]

As of September 18, 2023.[7]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
2 British Columbia Ben Wozney Junior D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2001-06-15 Richmond, British Columbia Penticton (BCHL)
4 Michigan Nick O'Hanisain Freshman D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2002-02-09 Detroit, Michigan Minot (NAHL)
5 Sweden Gustav Stjernberg Freshman D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 208 lb (94 kg) 2002-10-12 Enebyberg, Sweden Des Moines (USHL)
6 New York (state) Michael Bevilacqua Freshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2003-01-26 Hamburg, New York Des Moines (USHL)
7 Minnesota Spencer Schneider Junior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 159 lb (72 kg) 2000-09-11 Lakeville, Minnesota Aberdeen (NAHL)
8 British Columbia Brandon Santa Juana Freshman F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 173 lb (78 kg) 2002-08-05 Langley, British Columbia Salmon Arm (BCHL)
10 Michigan Josh Nodler Graduate F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2001-04-27 Oak Park, Michigan Massachusetts (HEA) CGY, 150th overall 2019
11 Ontario Adam Schankula Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-06-21 Newmarket, Ontario Youngstown (USHL)
13 British Columbia Brett Pfoh Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 2002-01-22 Port Moody, British Columbia Spruce Grove (AJHL)
14 Michigan Dalton Norris Sophomore D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 2001-09-28 Oxford, Michigan Lincoln (USHL)
15 Ontario Spencer Kersten Graduate F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2000-05-16 Waterloo, Ontario Princeton (ECAC)
16 Ontario Brayden Krieger Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 2001-02-09 Elora, Ontario Brooks (AJHL)
17 British Columbia Ethan Scardina Senior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 2000-11-02 South Surrey, British Columbia Nanaimo (BCHL)
18 California Quinn Emerson Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-03-12 Manhattan Beach, California Wenatchee (BCHL)
20 Ontario Ryan O'Hara Junior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2001-07-18 Oakville, Ontario Waterloo (USHL)
21 Alberta Seth Fyten Senior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2000-11-23 Didsbury, Alberta Spruce Grove (AJHL)
22 Saskatchewan Owen Ozar Junior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 156 lb (71 kg) 2000-04-05 Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Denver (NCHC)
23 Missouri Ben Doran Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 177 lb (80 kg) 2003-02-27 Chesterfield, Missouri Sioux City (USHL)
24 Alberta Eric Parker Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-01-15 Calgary, Alberta Okotoks (AJHL)
25 Germany Tommy Pasanen Senior D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 2001-07-30 Schweinfurt, Germany Clarkson (ECAC)
26 California Jack Blake Sophomore D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-09-21 Manhattan Beach, California Oakville (OJHL)
27 Alberta Breck McKinley Freshman D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2003-10-08 St. Albert, Alberta Spruce Grove (AJHL)
28 Michigan Jaden Grant Sophomore F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 2002-09-02 White Lake, Michigan Youngstown (USHL)
29 Ontario Brody Waters Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 203 lb (92 kg) 2002-04-09 Heidelberg, Ontario Nanaimo (BCHL)
30 Michigan Christian Stoever Junior G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2000-04-16 Northville, Michigan New Jersey (NAHL)
31 Ohio Peter Eigner Junior G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2002-05-04 Bowling Green, Ohio Tri-State (Midget AAA)
34 Ontario Cole More Freshman G 6' 6" (1.98 m) 198 lb (90 kg) 2003-06-04 Toronto, Ontario Aberdeen (NAHL)
35 Michigan Salvatore Evola Sophomore G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2001-04-24 Rochester, Michigan Johnstown (NAHL)

Standings

[edit]
Conference record Overall record
GP W L T OTW OTL SW PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Bemidji State 24 15 7 2 2 1 2 48 82 64 38 20 16 2 117 111
St. Thomas 24 12 11 1 0 2 0 39 68 62 37 15 20 2 97 105
#19 Michigan Tech* 24 12 10 2 1 2 0 39 63 54 40 19 15 6 109 102
Minnesota State 24 12 10 2 2 1 1 38 73 62 37 18 15 4 111 96
Northern Michigan 24 10 10 4 1 1 2 36 57 67 34 12 16 6 83 105
Bowling Green 24 11 12 1 1 1 1 35 60 69 36 13 22 1 86 116
Lake Superior State 24 11 12 1 2 2 0 34 79 73 38 17 20 1 114 113
Ferris State 24 6 17 1 3 2 1 19 49 80 36 10 24 2 83 125
Augustana ^ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 34 12 18 4 90 105
Championship: March 22, 2024
† indicates conference regular season champion (MacNaughton Cup)
* indicates conference tournament champion (Mason Cup)
^ Augustana is playing a transition schedule of 16 games against conference opponents that are not counted in the standings
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll

Schedule and results

[edit]
Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Decision Result Attendance Record
Regular Season
October 7 7:05 pm at Robert Morris* Clearview ArenaNeville Township, Pennsylvania FloHockey Stoever W 3–0  1,225 1–0–0
October 8 5:07 pm Robert Morris* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio FloHockey Stoever L 0–3  1,345 1–1–0
October 14 7:07 pm at Augustana* Denny Sanford Premier CenterSioux Falls, South Dakota FloHockey Stoever L 2–3  3,664 1–2–0
October 15 6:07 pm at Augustana* Denny Sanford Premier CenterSioux Falls, South Dakota FloHockey Moore L 1–4  2,891 1–3–0
October 20 7:07 pm #9 Western Michigan* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio FloHockey Moore L 2–5  4,862 1–4–0
October 21 6:00 pm at #9 Western Michigan* Lawson ArenaKalamazoo, Michigan   Moore L 2–5  2,760 1–5–0
November 3 7:07 pm Mercyhurst* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio FloHockey Stoever L 3–4 OT 2,814 1–6–0
November 3 7:07 pm Mercyhurst* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio FloHockey Moore W 4–2  3,065 2–6–0
November 10 7:07 pm St. Thomas Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio FloHockey Stoever L 1–4  2,172 2–7–0 (0–1–0)
November 11 7:07 pm St. Thomas Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio FloHockey Stoever L 3–4  2,180 2–8–0 (0–2–0)
November 17 7:07 pm at Lake Superior State Taffy Abel ArenaSault Ste. Marie, Michigan FloHockey Moore W 5–3  831 3–8–0 (1–2–0)
November 18 7:07 pm at Lake Superior State Taffy Abel ArenaSault Ste. Marie, Michigan FloHockey Moore L 3–4 OT 1,059 3–9–0 (1–3–0)
November 24 7:07 pm Northern Michigan Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio FloHockey Moore W 6–2  2,610 4–9–0 (2–3–0)
November 25 7:07 pm Northern Michigan Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio FloHockey Moore L 0–2  1,340 4–10–0 (2–4–0)
December 1 7:07 pm at Michigan Tech MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, Michigan FloHockey Moore W 2–1 OT 2,974 5–10–0 (3–4–0)
December 2 6:07 pm at Michigan Tech MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, Michigan FloHockey Moore L 2–3  2,759 5–11–0 (3–5–0)
December 8 7:07 pm Ferris State Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio FloHockey Moore W 1–0  1,836 6–11–0 (4–5–0)
December 9 7:07 pm Ferris State Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio FloHockey Moore W 4–3  1,816 7–11–0 (5–5–0)
December 14 8:07 pm at Bemidji State Sanford CenterBemidji, Minnesota FloHockey Moore L 1–3  1,019 7–12–0 (5–6–0)
December 15 8:07 pm at Bemidji State Sanford CenterBemidji, Minnesota FloHockey Moore L 2–5  1,539 7–13–0 (5–7–0)
December 30 6:00 pm Windsor* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio (Exhibition) FloHockey Stoever L 1–5  1,210
January 5 7:00 pm at Ohio State* Value City ArenaColumbus, Ohio   Moore L 2–6  5,050 7–14–0
January 6 7:07 pm Ohio State* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio FloHockey Stoever L 2–4  5,000 7–15–0
January 19 7:07 pm Minnesota State Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio FloHockey Moore W 4–3  2,313 8–15–0 (6–7–0)
January 20 7:07 pm Minnesota State Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio FloHockey Stoever L 1–4  2,812 8–16–0 (6–8–0)
February 2 7:07 pm at Ferris State Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan FloHockey Stoever W 4–3  1,901 9–16–0 (7–8–0)
February 3 6:07 pm at Ferris State Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan FloHockey Moore W 3–1  2,275 10–16–0 (8–8–0)
February 9 7:07 pm Lake Superior State Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio FloHockey Stoever W 6–3  2,202 11–16–0 (9–8–0)
February 10 7:07 pm Lake Superior State Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio FloHockey Moore W 4–2  3,012 12–16–0 (10–8–0)
February 16 8:07 pm at St. Thomas St. Thomas Ice ArenaMendota Heights, Minnesota FloHockey Moore T 3–3 SOW 894 12–16–1 (10–8–1)
February 17 7:07 pm at St. Thomas St. Thomas Ice ArenaMendota Heights, Minnesota FloHockey Moore W 3–1  796 13–16–1 (11–8–1)
February 23 7:07 pm Michigan Tech Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio FloHockey Moore L 0–7  2,664 13–17–1 (11–9–1)
February 24 7:07 pm Michigan Tech Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio FloHockey Moore L 1–3  4,184 13–18–1 (11–10–1)
March 1 7:07 pm at Northern Michigan Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan FloHockey Moore L 1–4  2,565 13–19–1 (11–11–1)
March 2 7:07 pm at Northern Michigan Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan FloHockey Stoever L 0–1  3,007 13–20–1 (11–12–1)
CCHA Tournament
March 8 7:07 pm at Michigan Tech* MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, Michigan (Quarterfinal Game 1) FloHockey Moore L 0–5  2,718 13–21–1
March 9 6:07 pm at Michigan Tech* MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, Michigan (Quarterfinal Game 2) FloHockey Stoever L 5–6  2,889 13–22–1
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.
Source:[8]

Scoring statistics

[edit]
Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Ryan O'Hara LW 26 10 8 18 12
Spencer Kersten RW 36 9 7 16 8
Brett Pfoh F 34 9 6 15 28
Brody Waters LW 34 6 9 15 25
Josh Nodler C/RW 36 5 10 15 28
Jaden Grant F 36 3 11 14 14
Seth Fyten F 26 7 6 13 37
Ethan Scardina C 26 6 6 12 22
Quinn Emerson C/RW 36 5 6 11 10
Gustav Stjernberg D 31 4 7 11 40
Brandon Santa Juana F 36 2 9 11 16
Dalton Norris D 23 5 5 10 19
Ben Doran F 25 3 7 10 28
Owen Ozar F 36 5 4 9 40
Ben Wozney D 22 2 7 9 16
Eric Parker D 33 1 8 9 29
Michael Bevilacqua D 20 2 5 7 2
Tommy Pasanen D 29 1 6 7 20
Breck McKinley D 31 0 6 6 6
Brayden Krieger F 26 0 5 5 0
Adam Schankula F 14 1 2 3 0
Christian Stoever G 14 0 1 1 2
Nick O'Hanisain D 20 0 1 1 9
Jack Blake F 23 0 1 1 4
Pete Eigner G 2 0 0 0 0
Salvatore Evola F 3 0 0 0 0
Spencer Schneider F 12 0 0 0 0
Cole Moore G 25 0 0 0 0
Total 86 142 228 395

[9]

Goaltending statistics

[edit]
Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
Cole Moore 28 1378:19 10 13 1 66 734 1 .918 2.87
Christian Stoever 17 755:33 3 9 0 41 327 1 .889 3.26
Salvatore Evola 4 18:06 0 0 0 1 7 0 .875 3.31
Empty Net - 18:32 - - - 8 - - - -
Total 36 2170:30 13 22 1 116 1068 2 .902 3.21

Rankings

[edit]
Poll Week
Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 (Final)
USCHO.com NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR
USA Hockey NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

Note: USCHO did not release a poll in weeks 11 and 25.[10]
Note: USA Hockey did not release a poll in week 12.

Awards and honors

[edit]
Player Award Ref
Cole Moore CCHA Rookie Team [11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Forward Austen Swankler announces intent to transfer to Michigan Tech". The Rink Live. September 25, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  2. ^ "Bowling Green hockey coach Eigner placed on leave, three players suspended over alleged off-campus hazing incident". USCHO. September 18, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  3. ^ "Bowling Green reinstates hockey coach Eigner, notes student conduct code process ongoing with alleged hazing violations". USCHO. October 20, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  4. ^ "'Collin's Law' signed into law, stiffening penalties for hazing incidents at Ohio colleges". MSN. 5WLWT.
  5. ^ "CCHA weekend preview: St. Thomas welcomes surging Falcons to Mendota Heights". Rink Live. February 15, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  6. ^ https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/bgsu/2024/03/11/bgsu-parts-ways-with-hockey-coach-eigner/stories/20240311100
  7. ^ "2023-24 Ice Hockey Roster". Bowling Green Falcons. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  8. ^ "2023-24 Ice Hockey Schedule". Bowling Green Falcons. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  9. ^ "Bowling Green State Univ. 2023-2024 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  10. ^ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  11. ^ "CCHA All-Rookie Team Revealed". CCHA.com. March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.