Bulldog Hockey's Three-Game Winning Streak Ends In 5-3 Loss To Ohio State

*WATCH: Post-Game Conference-Head Coach Bob Daniels*

Three unanswered third-period goals by the Ohio State Buckeyes proved to be the difference as the Ferris State University men's ice hockey team's three-game winning streak came to an end this Saturday (Oct. 23) night in a 5-3 Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) loss at FSU's Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids, Mich.

Ohio State, which salvaged a weekend league-opening series split with Ferris State, was able to overcome a 3-2 deficit going into the third period of play in the two-game set finale.  The Buckeyes, who converted three of six power-play opportunities in the outing, tied the contest at 3-3 on Sergio Somma's power-play tally at 6:36 into the final frame.  Just over four minutes later, Ohio State's John Albert tallied his first of two back-to-back third-period lamplighters to give the visitors a 4-3 advantage.  Albert would locate the Bulldog net again on an empty-net maker with 28 seconds left in the game after notching his power-play goal with 9:09 remaining in the CCHA encounter.

Ferris State claimed an early 1-0 lead in the opening period as senior left wing Mike Embach (Orland Park, Ill.) tapped the puck into the Buckeyes' goal from the right post area on a pass from the left-side goal line by junior center Jordie Johnston (Rosetown, Saskatchewan).  Senior defenseman Zach Redmond (Traverse City) picked up his third helper while Johnston earned his second assist on Embach's second of the season, which occurred with Ferris on the man-advantage.  

A power-play goal by Danny Dries less than two minutes later erased the Bulldogs' one-goal lead to even the game up at 1-1.  Dries scored at the 3:53 mark for what would be the first of two OSU first-period scores.  Shane Sims connected for Ohio State with 1:26 left in the first period as the visitors held a 2-1 lead upon the completion of the first 20 minutes.

The Bulldogs came out in the second period with two straight goals at 3:17 and 15:58, respectively.  Sophomore left wing Kyle Bonis (Lindsay, Ontario) netted a goal for the second consecutive game as the forward recorded his second of the year.  Freshman defenseman Scott Czarnowczan (Macomb) fired a shot from the point which deflected off Ohio State goaltender Cal Heeter's glove to sophomore center Travis Ouellette (Windsor, Ontario) on the right side of the crease area.  Ouellette's shot caromed off Heeter's pad and over to Bonis on the opposite end who promptly poked the puck into the Buckeye goal to even the game up at 2-2.

Ferris State would take the lead at 3-2 with just under two seconds from the 16-minute mark into the second period as Zach Redmond generated his third goal of the season.  The Bulldog captain took a pass from junior defensemen Chad Billins (Marysville) and skated up a few steps before blasting a shot from the point past two OSU defenders into the upper half of the Buckeyes' net.  Redmond converted on a five-on-three FSU power play as the puck sailed above the Ohio State goalie's right shoulder as the netminder was screened from the shot.  Ferris State would maintain its lead until 6:36 into the third period when the Buckeyes erupted for their three scores.

Senior goaltender Pat Nagle (Bloomfield) was dealt his first loss of the year despite making 26 saves on the night, which included 13 in the third period.  Nagle's season record fell to 4-1-0 while Cal Heeter improved his mark to 2-3-0 with 21 stops in a winning performance.

Ohio State concluded the contest outshooting Ferris State 31-24, which featured a 16-3 advantage in the third period alone.  In power plays, the Bulldogs were successful twice in six chances while the Buckeyes also received six opportunities and converted three of them.

Ferris State, which is now 4-2-0 overall and 1-1-0-0 in the CCHA this season, will face the Michigan Wolverines next weekend, Oct. 29-30, in a home-and-home league series.  The Bulldogs host Michigan on Friday, Oct. 29, at 7:05 p.m. (EDT) inside the Ewigleben Ice Arena before traveling to Ann Arbor, Mich., on Saturday, Oct. 30, for the weekend league series finale.  Ferris State's tilt at UM's Yost Ice Arena will commence at 7:35 p.m. (EDT) and be televised live on Comcast Television.