#14 Ferris State Hockey Registers Road Victory As Motte Shuts Out Michigan State

Highlights
Post Game: Cencer 

Big Rapids, Mich. - A goal from sophomore forward Jared VanWormer in the first period stood up the rest of the way as the 14th-ranked Ferris State University men's ice hockey team captured a 1-0 victory over in-state rival Michigan State in non-league play on Friday (Oct. 31) night in East Lansing.

The Bulldogs' snapped a three-game skid by beating MSU for the fifth-straight time and the 10th time overall in the last 12 meetings between the two programs. FSU improved to 3-3 on the year with the series-opening win at Munn Ice Arena.

VanWormer tallied his first goal of the campaign off an assist from junior forward Matt Robertson 8:33 into the opening period to give FSU the lead. The goal would prove to be the game-winner as Ferris State posted the shutout victory.

Senior goaltender CJ Motte earned first star of the game honors for the Bulldogs with yet another stellar performance in net. He made 36 saves in recording his 11th career shutout and his second-straight against the Spartans on the heels of a 2-0 road win in the lone meeting between the two squads in 2013-14.

Along with Motte, VanWormer claimed the game's second star. He had a pair of shots, including the game-winner.

Ferris State was outshot 36-16 for the game as MSU generated opportunities, but couldn't get a shot past Motte. The Spartans had nine shots in both the first and third periods along with a game-high 18 in the middle frame. For FSU, the Bulldogs recorded seven shots in the first and third frames in addition to two in the second.

Both teams finished with four penalties for eight minutes on the night. FSU was held scoreless in four tries with the man-advantage while MSU finished 0-of-3 on the power play.

MSU's Jake Hildebrand suffered the loss in net for Michigan State after making 15 saves on the evening.

This year marks the 34th-straight year in which Ferris State and Michigan State have met on the ice dating back to 1981. FSU has now beat both Michigan State and Michigan of the Big Ten Conference already this season.

The two teams will square off again in the series finale on Saturday (Nov. 1) night starting at 7 p.m. (ET) at Munn Ice Arena.

Following this weekend's action against MSU, the Bulldogs will resume Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) competition on the road at Northern Michigan next weekend (Nov. 7-8). 

FSU then returns home to host Alaska-Anchorage in league play on Nov. 13-14 at the Ewigleben Ice Arena. Tickets are on sale now for all home contests and can be purchased online at StarTickets.com or by calling (800) 585-3737. Visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com for more information.