UAA ends hockey skid, but Bowling Green scores the game’s only goal

The UAA hockey team had the nation's 10th-ranked team on the ropes through regulation and more than seven minutes of overtime Friday night at Sullivan Arena before leaving with a split decision.

The game officially ended in a 0-0 tie. But because Bowling Green scored a goal during the second overtime period, when teams play 3-on-3, the Bulldogs will get two points and UAA will get one point in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings.

The league's overtime rules allow teams to play a second OT and, if necessary, a shootout. But once a game goes beyond the first overtime, when teams skate 5-on-5 for five minutes, only points in the conference standings — not wins or losses — are at stake.

The game had a crazy finish that left many in the crowd initially confused about who scored during the second overtime.

UAA rushed the Bowling Green net and got off a shot that appeared to hit the post. Officials weren't certain if the puck went into the net or not and wanted to review the play, but had to wait until the next stoppage of play.

That came about a minute later when Bowling Green's Chris Pohlkamp scored on a one-timer.

After Pohlkamp's goal, officials spent a few minutes reviewing the shot by UAA before determining the puck didn't go in the net. They pointed to the end of the ice Bowling Green was defending and waved off the goal, then pointed to the end of the ice UAA was defending and signaled a goal. The outcome was erroneously announced as a Seawolves win before officials cleared up the confusion.

The teams play again Saturday at 7:07 p.m.

UAA outshot the Falcons 34-29 for the game and killed all five of Bowling Green's power plays.

Brody Claeys made 28 saves for the Seawolves, including four in the first overtime, when teams skated 5-on-5 for five minutes. Eric Dop made 34 saves for Bowling Green (6-2-2, 1-1-1), including one in each of the overtime periods.

The tie ended a four-game losing skid for UAA (1-6-1 overall, 0-5-1 WCHA). After Saturday's game, the Seawolves will play their next 10 games on the road and won't be back at Sullivan Arena until a Jan. 4-5 series against Lake Superior State.