Alabama Huntsville Holds On To Beat Bulldogs In Series' Opener

Alabama Huntsville Holds On To Beat Bulldogs In Series' Opener


Highlights

Big Rapids, Mich. - A pair of goals from forward Chad Brears lifted Alabama Huntsville to a close 3-2 win over Ferris State as the two teams opened a Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) series on Friday (Nov. 21) night at the Ewigleben Ice Arena.

Brears scored 1:46 into the contest off assists from Max McHugh and Graeme Strukoff and later added a key third period goal 13:23 into the final framel, which proved to be the eventual game-winner for the Chargers.

The loss came as FSU continued a four-game homestand over back-to-back weeks in Big Rapids. Ferris State opened the stretch by outscoring Alaska Anchorage 14-2 in two contests last week.

After Alabama Huntsville took the early lead, the game remained 1-0 until FSU tied the contest up 12:54 into the second period on sophomore forward Gerald Mayhew's fifth goal of the year. It was assisted by senior forward Justin Buzzeo and sophomore Chad McDonald.

The game stayed tied until 8:57 of the third when Alabama Huntsville's Alex Carpenter produced the go-ahead goal off a Brennan Saulnier assist for his first goal this season.

Then, with a 2-1 lead, Brears stretched the advantage to two goals with his second marker of the night at 13:23 of the third. Brandon Parker and Jack Prince added the assists on his power-play goal.

Ferris State cut the margin back to a single goal as sophomore Kyle Schempp found the back of the net on a power play at 17:47 of the third, but the Bulldogs could not get the equalizer as the score stood up. Junior Matt Robertson and senior defenseman Jason Binkley tallied the assists on Schempp's goal.

The Bulldogs suffered the setback despite holding a 38-18 edge in total shots. FSU compiled 15 in the first period, 13 in the second and 10 in the third. Meanwhile, UAH had six in the opening period, three in the second and nine over the final 20 minutes of play.

Carmine Guerriero recorded the victory in net for the Chargers with 36 saves in 59:59 of action between the pipes. Meanwhile, senior captain CJ Motte had 15 saves in the losing cause for FSU.

Alabama Huntsville was called for nine penalties totaling 18 minutes with the Bulldogs whistled five times for 10 minutes in the box. However, FSU was one-of-eight on the power play with UAH netting a single score in four tries with the man-advantage.

Ferris State fell to 6-6-0 overall and 3-4-0 in the WCHA with the loss while the Chargers improved to 3-8-2 overall and 2-5-0 in league play.

The two teams will square off again on Saturday (Nov. 22) night in the series' finale starting at 7:07 p.m. (ET) at the Ewigleben Ice Arena.

Tickets for Saturday's game, which marks FSU's final home contest until mid-December, are on sale and can be purchased at StarTickets.com, by calling 1-800-585-3737 or in person at the FSU Athletics Ticket Office. Visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com for more information.