#10 Bulldog Hockey Sweeps Past BGSU
Big Rapids, Mich. - The nationally-ranked Ferris State University men's ice hockey team posted a 5-3 victory over the Bowling Green Falcons in a Central Collegiate Hockey Association contest on Saturday evening (Nov. 5) at the BGSU Ice Arena in Bowling Green, Ohio.
With the win, the 10th-ranked Bulldogs improved to 8-2 overall with a 4-2-0 record in conference play. The victory gave FSU a weekend sweep over the Falcons and marks the fourth sweep of the 2011-12 season for Ferris State, including two series' sweeps on the road.
The Bulldogs started the scoring early with senior forward Jordie Johnston (Rosetown, Saskatchewan) tallying his fourth goal of the season as he jammed in his own rebound just 1:01 into the first period. Sophomore forward Garrett Thompson (Traverse City) and junior Matthew Kirzinger (Leroy Saskatchewan) got credits for the assists.
Then, just one minute and 32 seconds later, senior right wing Aaron Schmit (Grafton, Wis.) scored his first goal of the season when he capitalized on a breakaway opportunity. Junior Travis Ouellette (Windsor, Ontario) earned the assist.
The Falcons answered the two-goal deficit on an even strength goal at the 7:36 mark with Dan Desalvo scoring off a shot in the top left corner over Bulldog senior netminder Taylor Nelson (Rosetown, Saskatchewan). Camden Wojtala picked up the assist.
With 11:50 left in the first stanza, FSU freshman TJ Schlueter (St. Louis, Mo.) recorded his third goal of the season as a short-handed shot from the right-wing circle made it past BGSU goaltender Andrew Hammond. After that goal, Hammond was replaced in the Bowling Green State lineup with sophomore goaltender Scott Zacharias.
BGSU narrowed the Bulldog lead yet again on a power-play goal from Bryce Williamson with 7:24 left in the first period. Then, at the 8:47 mark of the second period, the Falcons tied the game up at 3-3 with a power-play goal from sophomore Ryan Viselli.
Ferris State answered back with five minutes left in the second period as a pass from sophomore defender Scott Czarnowczan (Macomb) found the stick of Johnston, who tipped it in the top left corner of the BGSU net. The game winning goal marked Johnston's second goal of the game and Kirzinger tallied an assist on the goal.
FSU's Brett Wysopal (LeGrange Park, Ill.) scored the final goal of the game at the 11:09 mark on an even-strength goal with the assist going to Ouellette. The lamp-lighter marked the second on of the series for Wysopal, as he scored his first goal of the season in Friday night's contest.
Nelson picked up the victory for FSU in the win and improved his season record to 5-1 by making 31 saves on the Falcons' 34 shots on goal.
The Bulldogs will return home next weekend (Nov. 11-12) for a two-game CCHA series against the Lake Superior State Lakers. The puck is slated to drop at 7:05 p.m. (EDT) for both contests.
The first 500 fans to Friday's game will receive a Ferris Hockey Stress Puck. Following Saturday's game, senior Derek Graham along with sophomores Andy Huff and Cory Kane will be available on the concourse to sign autographs.
Tickets for next weekend's series' or on sale now and can be purchased in advance by calling the FSU Athletics Ticket Office at (231) 591-2888 or visit www.FerrisStateBulldogs.com for more information.