CCHA playoffs: Falcons drop first game against Lake Superior State 2-0

Michigan a 3-2 winner over Northern Michigan

3/8/2013

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — The Bowling Green State University hockey team suffered a 2-0 loss to Lake Superior State Friday in a first-round Central Collegiate Hockey Association playoff game.

The Lakers (17-19-1) scored twice in a two-minute span early in the second period to win the first game in the best-of-three playoff series.

After a scoreless first period, Lake Superior’s Domenic Monardo took advantage of a four-on-four situation to score his 20th goal of the season just 21 seconds into the second period.

Then Bryce Schmitt beat BG’s Andrew Hammond for his fourth goal this season exactly two minutes after Mondardo’s goal.

The Falcons (13-19-5) had plenty of scoring opportunities, peppering Lake Superior goalie Kevin Kapalka with 31 shots. BG outshot the Lakers 14-8 in the second period alone.

Kapalka, a junior, stopped all 31 of those shots to earn the shutout victory.

Hammond finished with 26 saves for the Falcons.

The two teams will meet today at 7:05 p.m. If Bowling Green wins that contest, it will force a deciding game three that will be played Sunday at 7:05 p.m.

Michigan 3, Northern Michigan 2

ANN ARBOR — The Wolverines scored three first-period goals and then hung on to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series at Yost Ice Arena.

Jon Merrill scored on the power play and Kevin Lynch added a power-play tally along with a shorthanded goal to put Michigan (15-18-3) up after the first.

Kory Kaunisto and Darren Nowick each scored once for the Wildcats (15-19-4).