Former Vipers Goaltender Hammond Opens Season With Victory:

Former Vernon Vipers goaltender, Andrew Hammond made 20 saves on opening night as Bowling Green University picked up a 2-1 victory over the University of Connecticut Friday night. Hammond and the Falcons would tie the University of Connecticut 4-4 Saturday night in the rematch. Hammond who was aquired from the Surrey Eagles at the 2008 BCHL trade deadline played parts of two seasons with the Vipers (2007-2008) going (48-29-2). Hammond is in his second season with the Falcons.

Andrew Hammond's post game interview after Friday night's 2-1 victory over the University of Connecticut.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SGFUHm0yQqw

This is posted on the Falcons website:

Falcons Skate To 4-4 Finish With UConn

By John Enright - Athletic Communications Intern

10/9/2011

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University ice hockey team closed out opening weekend this past Saturday with a 4-4 tie against the University of Connecticut at BGSU Ice Arena. In contrast to the previous night’s low scoring affair, each team lit the lamp four times on the way to the highest scoring output of the young season.

The Falcons used a balanced attack against the Huskies as four different skaters registered a goal in the contest. Sophomores Bryce Williamson and Cam Wojtala each registered their second straight goal in as many games, while junior Bobby Shea and freshman Dan DeSalvo each recorded their first goal of the season.

The Huskies jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with two power play tallies in the first ten minutes of the game. Junior Sean Ambrosie and sophomore Brant Harris each scored to put BGSU in an early hole. The Falcons failed to score in the remainder of the first period despite outshooting the Huskies 10-6 in the frame.

The Falcons would respond in the second period however with a power play goal of their own, cutting the Huskies lead to one. Wojtala received the puck off a neutral zone face-off win and carried it towards the UConn net minder before roofing it top corner on the backhand.

Bowling Green continued to pressure throughout the period, working mostly in the offensive zone the entire frame. The pressure would pay off with five minutes left to play in the second period, as DeSalvo rammed home a beautiful pass from sophomore Jake Slot in front. The tally tied the game at two heading into the third period.
Each team would score twice in the final frame, exchanging goals throughout the third period.

Overtime did not yield a winner, and the game officially ended in a tie. While both teams did participate in a shootout culminating in a UConn win, the outcome had no bearing on the standings.

The tie came despite the Falcons dominating in the shot department. BG outshot UConn 45-15 in the game, including a 20-3 mark in the second period. Sophomore Andrew Wallace continued to dominate in the face-off circle as well, winning 12 of 16 draws on the night.

DeSalvo’s second period goal marked the first of his career, while freshman Adam Berkle registered his first collegiate point with an assist in the third period. Carpenter continued to roll along in the early part of the season with two assists in the game. Wojtala, Williamson, and Carpenter are each currently on two game point scoring streaks.

The Falcons are back in action this coming weekend (Oct. 14-15) on the road against University of Alabama-Huntsville.