Hockey Preview

FALCON FOOTBALL MAGAZINE HOCKEY PREVIEW A strong offense has been the "Right now our goaltending is trademark of Bowling Green BG's Ministers of Defense an area that appears to be hockey teams for many years. stronger than it's been in the However, with 60 percent of last few years and it will become last year's scoring production even stronger especially with gone, the Falcons will have to our defensive corps in front of rely on an area that has been a them." stumbling block over the last BG returns all but three of its two campaigns — team defense backliners from last season's The Falcons, who return 13 squad. Juniors Wells (5-13—18), lettermen from last season's Reirden (8-7—15) and Mears unit, suffered a big loss in their (1-2-3) will be the Falcons backline crew when senior leaders on the blueline and will Hobey Baker Memorial Award Glen Mears Tbdd Reirden Jeff Wells be assisted by sophomores candidate Ken Klee signed Brandon Carper (2-16-18), with the Washington Capitals an honorable mention CCHA in mid-August, but BG retains the services of five other All-Rookie team selection last year, and Greg de Vries (0-3—3). defensemen including juniors Jeff Wells, Todd Reirden and Wells and Carper led BG's rearguards in points last year, while Glen Mears. Reirden was the Brown and Orange's top goal scorer from the On the offensive end, the Falcons must find other avenues to point. put the puck in the net without the services of second-team All- Freshman Chad Ackerman (9-17—26) will also be looking for CCHA selections Peter Holmes and Martin Jiranek. Also gone a spot in the lineup. are steady wingers Dan Bylsma, Jim Solly and Llew Ncwana. "Our team this year appears to be much more solid defensive- The Brown and Orange's other losses are rearguards Otis ly," York said. "On the blueline we will have five seasoned players Plageman and Aris Brimanis, both of whom filled in at forward that all appear to be on the upside of their game. They are im- late in the season. proving and getting better. We are stronger physically as well "On paper we feel our strength is from the blueline back, but due to a very demanding offseason weightlifting program." we still have to show some gains in that area," said head coach For the first time in several seasons, the Falcon offense may Jerry York, who enters his 14th year behind the BG bench. "As be an area of concern. Harkins, a senior, was BG's third-leading we break in a host of young forwards, we will certainly be rely- scorer last year with 47 points. His 39 assists were tops on the ing on veterans like Brett Harkins, Sean Pronger and Brian squad. BG's only returning skater to score more than 10 goals Holzinger, although only a sophomore, to lean on offensively. in 1991-92 was Holzinger, who recorded 14 in his rookie season "It is the first time in a long time that half of our defensemen en route to 22 points and honorable mention CCHA All-Rookie will be in the second half of their careers (juniors and seniors). team honors. Three of our five returning defensemen will be upperclassmen In order for the Brown and Orange to be successful this season, and we've really fought through not having that luxury in the it needs some of its other skaters to step forward and become im- last couple years. We certainly would like to have had Ken Klee portant contributors. One of those BG looks to do just that is Pro- anchoring our troops, but we are confident we have a talented nger, a junior wing, who recorded 16 points last year including group that can do the job for us." nine goals. The Falcons are hoping that their experience on the blueline Senior Paul Basic (1-1—2), who made a smooth transition from will lead the team's resurgence up the ladder in the CCHA stan- defense to fourth-line center last year, will fill that role again dings and back into national prominence. in 1992-93. "We certainly want to get our program back to where it was Right winger Ty Eigner (2-2—4), BG's elder statesman, also for most of the '80s and that is fighting for a league champion- returns and will serve as team captain. Eigner was granted a ship and competing on the national level," expressed York. "We medical redshirt year (for 1988-89) by the NCAA last March thus believe this year's recruiting class will certainly help our team extending his playing career one season. get back in the right direction." Senior right wing Rick Mullins (3-3—6) and sophomore wing Four goaltenders enter camp including incumbents senior Tom Glantz (0-2—2) are also back and will be pressed by the in- Angelo Libertucci and sophomores Will Clarke and Nathan coming freshmen for spots in the lineup. Cressman. Promising freshman Aaron Ellis, an llth-round In all, nine first-year performers will attempt to crack the top pick of the Quebec Nordiques in the June draft, will give BG add- four lines. BG's rookie forward crop, its largest ever, consists of ed strength in net. six wingers and three centers. Clarke took over the goaltending reigns midway through last The wings include Mike Hall, Jason Helbing, Mark Lind- season and enters camp trying to maintain his No. 1 status. He say, Kevin Lune, Jeremy Stier and Jamie Williams. Jason posted a 4-9-1 record, a 3.76 goals-against average and an 87.1 Clark, Jeff Herman and Craig Mittleholt are the centers. saves percentage a year ago. Libertucci, a second-team Academic "Our forwards are going to be very young, but I think they are All-America in 1991-92, has struggled over the last two years going to bring a lot of skill, speed and enthusiasm to our front after turning in a fine rookie season. The first-team Academic lines," said York of his freshmen. All-CCHA pick was 3-8-4 with a 4.85 gaa and an 84.8 saves mark The Falcons open the season Friday, Oct. 16 against the as a junior. Cressman saw action in only five games last year — University of Toronto at the BGSU Ice Arena. All BG home all before Christmas — compiling a 1-4-0 record. games begin at 7:00 p.m. this year. 71 .

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