Ferris State Shuts Out Lake Superior State To Cap Weekend Home Sweep

Highlights

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team gave its fans plenty to cheer about in the Bulldogs' final home contest of the 2014 calendar year on Saturday (Dec. 13) as FSU shutout Lake Superior State 5-0 to complete a weekend sweep in Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) play.

A crowd of 2,053 fans watched Ferris State post the victory over the Lakers as senior goaltender CJ Motte posted his NCAA active career-leading 14th shutout to cap winter graduation weekend on the FSU campus.

Ferris State, which rallied for a 5-2 win in Friday's opener with a flurry of third period goals, produced two goals in the middle period and three more in the third to wrap up the weekend series.

After the two teams battled thru a scoreless opening frame, Ferris State struck quickly only 1:08 into the second period. Junior Kenny Babinski tallied his fourth goal of the season at even-strength with assists credited to senior forward Justin Buzzeo and sophomore forward Jared VanWormer. Buzzeo notched his fifth assist this season with VanWormer capturing his eighth on the opening and eventual game-winning marker.

Following the first Bulldog goal, fans had the special opportunity to throw teddy bears on the ice as part of FSU's annual "Teddy Bear Toss" with all toys donated to the local Salvation Army for needy children during the holiday season.

The Bulldogs pushed their lead to two goals less than two minutes later when junior defenseman Brandon Anselmini scored his first goal this season off assists from freshman forward Andrew Mayer and sophomore forward Kyle Schempp. Mayer's assist was his third while Schempp tallied his fifth helper this season.

Ferris State took the 2-0 advantage into the third and final period, but the lead grew quickly again as junior Sean O'Rourke scored his first collegiate goal 4:30 into the final frame. Freshman Tyler Andrew picked up his second assist of the season with junior defenseman Simon Denis coming up with his fourth on FSU's third goal of the night.

The Bulldogs then took advantage of a pair of Lake Superior State penalties with two additional goals in slightly more than a one-minute span. Mayer notched his third goal this season at 8:58 for his second point of the night in a five-on-three situation. Assists went to junior Matt Robertson and Denis, who registered their 13th and fifth assists this season, respectively.

The final FSU goal came at 10:18 of the last period when sophomore defenseman Ryan Lowney picked up his first lamplighter this year. Sophomore forward Gerald Mayhew received his sixth assist while Buzzeo earned his sixth overall and second of the night on the game-sealing marker.

Ferris State held a 40-24 edge in total shots for the game with 10 in the opening period followed by 14 in the second and 16 in the third. They limited LSSU to only nine shots in period one with seven in the second and eight over the final 20 minutes of play.

FSU capitalized twice on the power-play in five tries with the man-advantage while the penalty kill kept LSSU scoreless in five opportunities as well with the extra skater. FSU was called for nine penalties totaling 26 minutes with Lake Superior State whistled eight times for 16 minutes.

Motte made 24 saves for FSU in earning his fourth shutout victory this season and 14th for his career, which is tops in NCAA hockey among active Division I goaltenders. 

Meanwhile, LSSU's Gordon Defiel stopped 35 Bulldog scoring chances in suffering the setback.

By virute of his first collegiate goal, O'Rourke earned the game's first star while Motte received the second and Lowney tallied the third.

Ferris State improved to 9-7-1 overall and 6-4-0 in the WCHA while winning for the fifth time in the last six league outings. It also marked the Bulldogs' second consecutive weekend home sweep in Big Rapids.

LSSU fell to 3-17-0 overall and 3-11-0 in league action with the loss.

With the win, the Bulldogs have now won the past seven matchups against LSSU, including a four-game sweep last season. This weekend's two-game set marked the Bulldogs' last home action in the 2014 calendar year as FSU will not return to home ice until mid-January when FSU hosts third-ranked Minnesota State on Jan. 16-17 at the Ewigleben Ice Arena.

The Bulldogs also improved to 22-3-1 in their last 26 home outings with the triumph.
Ferris State will break for the holiday before returning to action on Dec. 28-29 at the Great Lakes Invitational (GLI) in Detroit. FSU squares off against Michigan State on Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. (ET) at Joe Louis Arena with Michigan and Michigan Tech also in the two-day field. 

Tickets for the GLI can be purchased thru the FSU Athletics Ticket Office for seating in the Bulldogs' designated lower bowl sections. For additional information, please call (231) 591-2888 or visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com.