Miami’s season opener vs. Bowling Green didn’t end well for the RedHawks.
And it’s unlikely the Falcons will overlook MU when these teams meet in northwestern Ohio.
Miami coach Chris Bergeron headed the BGSU program the past nine seasons, and Bowling Green scored five times in the third period against the new head coach of the RedHawks in a 7-4 win at Cady Arena on Oct. 6.
The trends don’t look good for Miami either, as the RedHawks have dropped four straight games while Bowling Green has gone 7-1-2 in its last 10.
A look at this Monday’s game:
WHO: Miami RedHawks (4-10-3) at No. 10 Bowling Green Falcons (12-6-1).
WHEN: Monday – 7:07 p.m.
WHERE: Slater Family Arena (5,000), Bowling Green, Ohio.
ALL-TIME SERIES: Bowling Green leads, 61-59-9.
MIAMI RADIO: WMOH-AM (1450), Hamilton, Ohio.
BOWLING GREEN RADIO: None.
TV: None.
STREAM: WCHA.tv.
NOTES: Both teams are coming off of Christmas break, as Miami’s last game was Dec. 7 while Bowling Green most recently hit the ice on Dec. 14.
The RedHawks are 20-3-2 in their last 25 meetings with the Falcons, but BGSU will certainly be the favorite with 12 wins and a top-10 ranking.
A major key to Bowling Green’s success has been goaltender Eric Dop, who owns a 1.99 goals-against average and a save percentage of .918. He has played all but two games, with freshman backup Zack Rose notching just an . 867 save percentage in 122 minutes.
The Falcons already have six forwards with double-digit points totals. Connor Ford is tied for the team lead with 19 and has scored eight of his nine goals in conference play. He also has a team-best six markers on the power play.
Alex Barber has 18 points and leads all forwards with 13 helpers. Cameron Wright has netted a Falcons-high 12 goals, with four being game winners.
Brandon Kruse, a Vegas draftee, has four goals and 12 assists for 16 points, Frederic Letourneau has 90 career points and 12 in 2019-20, and Max Johnson – the team leader with 43 last season – is at 5-6-11.
Taylor Schneider and Sam Craggs have also been solid scoring threats among Bowling Green forwards.
On defense, all-world senior Alec Rauhauser is the first BGSU blueliner in a quarter century to surpass 100 career points. He has 106 including 19 this season, tied for the team lead and No. 1 in assists with 13 and plus-minus at plus-10.
No one else among the Falcons’ D-corps has more than five points, but that young unit has helped hold opponents to just 24.1 shots per game.
Will Cullen, Tim Theocharidis, T.J. Lloyd, Carson Musser and Justin Wells have all dressed for at least 18 of Bowling Green’s 19 games, and none are seniors.
The Falcons have been deadly on the power play, converting at a 25.3 percent clip. They also generate just under five man-advantage opportunities per game, so it’s paramount that Miami stay disciplined.
This is the final non-conference game of 2019-20 for Miami. The RedHawks are 2-5-2 outside of the NCHC.
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