State Of The Program: Bowling Green Youth Ready To Soar

State Of The Program: Bowling Green Youth Ready To Soar

A balanced attack led the Bowling Green Falcons to an encouraging 23-12-6 record last season as youth began to take the reigns in Ohio.

Aug 20, 2018 by Jacob Messing
State Of The Program: Bowling Green Youth Ready To Soar

A balanced attack led the Bowling Green Falcons to an encouraging 23-12-6 record last season as youth began to take the reigns in Ohio.

At the turn of the calendar, the Falcons went 15-6 as the USCHO Poll pegged them as a ranked team through the end of the season. A 4-1 Great Lakes Invitational Title win over Michigan Tech helped support the Falcons turnaround after a first-semester mark of 8-6-6.

The season ended with a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss in the WCHA semifinals at the hands of Northern Michigan. The Falcons were just two games shy from the program’s first NCAA tournament bid since 1989-90. 

But there are signs of life at Bowling Green, and with just four seniors departing, sophomore Alec Rauhauser leads a team of young talent heading into 2018-19.

“Coming into each year, expectations are pretty high at Bowling Green,” Rauhauser told Dave Selvig of The Bismarck Tribune back in January. “Our goal is to be playing for championships.”

Rauhauser led the team with 39 points (9 G, 30 A) in 41 games as an offensive catalyst form the back end. Named the WCHA’s top defenseman of the season, Rauhauser finished second in NCAA defensive scoring and plus/minus with a plus-16 rating.

Heading into his junior year with the Falcons, Rauhauser’s play has hinted at another level to still be reached. Falling one goal short of an NCAA tournament bid, a strong returning cast — including seven of the team’s top eight scorers — suggest the 28-year NCAA tournament drought may soon be over.

Head coach Chris Bergeron is preparing for his ninth season at the helm of the Falcons and coming off his best record in that time. He’s also commanding perhaps his strongest team, as well.

Freshmen Brandon Kruse, Max Johnson, and Cameron Wright combined for 30 goals and 68 total points and will be go-to forwards next season.



Stephen Baylis, returns for his senior season after a 31-point (9 G, 22 A) campaign, looking to add from his breakout for the team’s increased expectations. 

The four will help offset the loss of senior Mitch McLain, whose 32 points were third on the team. McLain, the captain, also led the team with 18 goals. He carried the team with 33 points (17 G, 16 A) in 2016-17, as the Falcons went 17-17-2.

Fellow seniors Tyler Spezia (10-6–16) and Brett D’Andrea (9-7–16) follow McLain as the ninth and tenth leading scorers on the team.

While Bergeron may anticipate an even stronger offense this coming season, he may be seeking a surprise in the crease after the successful tandem of Ryan Bednard and Eric Dop. Bednard, a junior, heads into the season after a 15-8-4 record, backed by a 2.24 goals against average and .916 save percentage. Dop had similar success as a freshman with a 8-4-2 record, padded by a 2.52 GAA and .901 SV%.

As the upperclassmen, Bergeron may look to Bednard, but should he continue to balance the starts until one outright shines, the Falcons have a lot to look forward to in 2018-19 as they build off their inspiring campaign.


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