Late Goal Lifts Ferris State Hockey To Exciting Road Victory At Michigan Tech

Postgame Audio Highlights 
Postgame Radio Interview w/Dave Cencer 

Houghton, Mich. – A late goal by sophomore forward Andrew Dorantes propelled the Ferris State University Bulldogs (3-3-2, 2-2-0 WCHA) to a 3-2 victory over the Michigan Tech Huskies (3-3-0, 3-3-0 WCHA) in Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) action and gave FSU a season series split with MTU on Saturday (Oct. 31) night at the MacInnes Ice Arena in Houghton.

Freshman goaltender Darren Smith made 36 saves, including 18 in the third period, to secure his second win in as many starts for Ferris State. Both senior forward Kenny Babinski and senior defenseman Simon Denis scored for the Bulldogs in the victory.

The victory was number 400 in the storied career of Ferris State head coach Bob Daniels. The bench boss is currently in his 24th season behind the bench for the Bulldogs.

Babinski put FSU on top at the start with a power play tally just 2:44 into the first period with assists from his linemates Mitch Maloney and Chad McDonald. The initial shot was taken by McDonald and deflected by Maloney back to Babinski, who used a wrist shot to put the puck into the top left corner of the net to make it 1-0.

Michigan Tech responded with a power play goal of their own late in the period when Reid Sturos beat Smith for his first tally of the season. A shot from the blue line by defenseman Mark Auk missed the goal, but bounced lively off the boards behind the goal to Sturos, who quickly put the rebound into the net to tie the game at 1-1.

The Huskies then took a 2-1 the lead in the second on a goal by forward Max Vallis at 4:29 of the middle frame.

But, Ferris State responded with Denis' tally to even the contest at 2-2 before the end of the second period. The senior d-man missed the previous seven games with an injury, but returned with his first goal of the year on an assist by sophomore forward Zach Szajner.

Late in the second, minor penalties to Maloney and defenseman Tyler Dorantes only 37 seconds apart gave Michigan Tech a lengthy 5-on-3 power play advantage. But the Bulldogs were able to kill the opportunities and keep the score even going into the third period.

In the first minute of the final stanza, Smith was tested by the Huskies and made multiple crucial saves early on, again keeping the score tied.

The two teams were still deadlocked until Dorantes scored at 18:39, giving the Bulldogs the lead for good. FSU brought the puck into the offensive zone and a pass from sophomore forward Tyler Andrew hit the back of the skate of freshman forward Corey Mackin and deflected to senior defenseman Brandon Anselmini. The blueliner stepped into a slap shot at the top of the zone that was initially stopped by MTU goalie Jamie Phillips, but Dorantes found the rebound in the crease and used a backhand to slip it into the net.

Dorantes' goal was his second of both the season and the weekend, and gives him five points in just eight games compared to his freshman season when he finished with six points in 33 contests.

Phillips finished with 22 saves in the loss for Michigan Tech, as the Huskies outshot Ferris State 38-25 in the game.

The Bulldogs were 1-for-5 with the man-advantage, while MTU finished 1-for-3 on the power play.

Ferris State will return home next weekend to host Minnesota State in a two-game series on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7, at the Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids. Both games will begin at 7:07 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased in person thru the FSU Athletics Office, online at StarTickets.com or by calling 1-800-585-3737.