Bulldog Hockey Sweeps Home-Opening Series
The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team won for the third time in its four 2010-11 season outings to date as the Bulldogs had three different skaters tally a goal while senior goaltender Pat Nagle (Bloomfield) stopped all 26 faced in a 3-0 non-league victory over the St. Lawrence Saints this Saturday (Oct. 16) evening at FSU's Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids, Mich.
Senior defenseman Zach Redmond (Traverse City) snapped a scoreless tie in the first period of play with an unassisted lamplighter coming with 7:40 remaining in the opening frame. The Bulldog captain recorded his second goal of the season with a shot from above the right circle which zipped past St. Lawrence netminder Matt Weninger. Redmond would go on to earn second star of the game recognition.
Ferris State, which outshot the Saints 15-9 in the second period, scored twice in the stanza with a goal early and one late. Senior center Nate Hennig (Macomb) extended his current goal-scoring streak to three straight with a lamplighter just 1:44 into the second period. Freshman left wing Andy Huff (Howell) claimed his second assist of the season on a shot high above the left circle which went to the Matt Weninger's left side where Hennig collected the puck just outside the crease area. Hennig then skated around the back of the SLU net and tallied on a wrap around from the opposite side to give Ferris State a 2-0 cushion.
The Bulldogs weren't finished scoring as with 1:38 remaining in the second period, junior defenseman Derek Graham (Schoolcraft) collected his first goal of the season on a shot from the point during a FSU power-play opportunity. The scoring play developed after the Bulldogs won a faceoff in the Saints' defensive zone and senior right wing Todd Pococke (Saginaw) slid the puck out to Graham near the blueline. Graham, a converted forward, moved the puck over to junior defenseman Brett Wysopal (LaGrange Park, Ill.), who promptly gave it back to Graham for the shot.
Ferris State compiled a 34-26 shots advantage in the game, which included 15 and 10 shots on goal in the second and third periods, respectively. In power plays, the Bulldogs converted one of four extra-man advantage situations while the Saints were unsuccessful in five chances.
Pat Nagle remained undefeated on the season at 3-0-0 by turning in a 26-saves effort and was selected as the game's first star. The FSU netminder made nine stops apiece in the final two periods. For St. Lawrence, starter Matt Weninger totaled 21 saves in the first two frames before Joe Spadaccini came in at the start of the third and notched 10 saves.
Ferris State, which improved its overall record to 3-1-0 on the season, will continue its present homestand this upcoming weekend, Oct. 22-23, as the Ohio State Buckeyes visit the Ewigleben Ice Arena for a two-game Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) series. Opening faceoff for the Bulldogs' league-opening games are at 7:05 p.m. (EDT) and tickets are available by contacting the FSU Athletics Ticket Office at (231) 591-2888. Fans may also purchase tickets online at www.startickets.com.
