#4 Ferris State Hockey Receives Overtime Goal To Remain Unbeaten

#4 Ferris State Hockey Receives Overtime Goal To Remain Unbeaten

Photo by Tara Freeman, SLU

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Big Rapids, Mich. - An overtime goal from sophomore forward Chad McDonald only 1:39 into the extra session lifted the nationally fourth-ranked Ferris State University men's ice hockey team to an exciting 3-2 road victory over St. Lawrence on Friday (Oct. 17) night at Appleton Arena in Canton, N.Y.

McDonald scored at even-strength on a goal assisted by both junior defenseman Brandon Anselmini and senior defenseman Jason Binkley to keep the Bulldogs unbeaten at 2-0 overall in regular-season action this campaign. It was his third goal of the year while Binkley also picked up his third assist of the season.

St. Lawrence opened the weekend series by striking first only 55 seconds into the first period when Brian Ward tallied his first goal of the season on a shot assisted by Drew Smolcysnki, who picked up his fifth helper of the year.

However, the Bulldogs answered back 13:24 into the second period when sophomore forward Gerald Mayhew picked up his first goal this season. It came off assists from junior forward Matt Robertson and sophomore forward Kyle Schempp.

The Bulldogs took their first lead of the night midway thru the third and final period when Robertson scored his first goal this season off an assist from Schempp at the 9:31 mark. But, the Saints struck back five minutes later to force the extra action as Tommy Thompson found the back of the net on a shot aided by both Ben Masell and Brian Ward.

FSU wasted little time in the extra period as McDonald ended the contest with his second game-winning goal of the year.

The Bulldogs had plenty of opportunities in the game as FSU posted a decisive 47-24 edge in total shots, including 19 in the opening period of action followed by 13 shots in both the second and third frames. The Saints had their most chances in the third with 10 shots, but FSU had the only two scoring tries in the extra period.

Neither team was able to capitalize with the man-advantage as Ferris State finished 0-of-5 with the extra skater while St. Lawrence was kept off the board in three tries on the power play. Overall, FSU was called for three penalties totaling six minutes with St. Lawrence whistled five times for 10 minutes in the box.

Bulldog senior goaltender and captain CJ Motte notched his 50th career victory in the win while making 22 saves in 61:39 of action to improve to 2-0-0 this season. The Saints' Kyle Hayton suffered the setback despite stopping 44 shots in going the distance.

With the win before a crowd of 1,935 fans at Appleton Arena, FSU improved to 2-0 this year. SLU fell to 1-2 on the season. A year ago, the two teams split a regular-season series in Big Rapids with the Saints being the only team to post a victory inside FSU's Ewigleben Ice Arena last year.

The two teams will wrap up the series on Saturday (Oct. 18) night with the finale set for a 7 p.m. (ET) puck drop. The contest will be aired live on Sunny 97.3 FM and the Bulldog Sports Network starting with pregame coverage a half-hour prior to faceoff.

After this weekend's road action, the Bulldogs return home to open Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) action against Michigan Tech on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25, in Big Rapids. Tickets for next weekend's home series are currently on sale and going fast with large crowds expected as FSU opens defense on its league title.

Tickets for the Michigan Tech series can be purchased online at StarTickets.com, by calling 1-800-585-3737 or in person at the FSU Athletics Ticket Office. Visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com or call 231-591-2888 for additional information.