Quick Start Propels Ferris State Hockey To 5-2 Win Over Connecticut

Minneapolis, Minn. — Senior forward Kenny Babinski scored twice and the Ferris State Bulldogs (9-9-4, 7-7-2 WCHA) carried a lead the whole way en route to a 5-2 victory over the University of Connecticut Huskies (5-12-1, 3-7-1 Hockey East) in the consolation game of the Mariucci Classic on Saturday afternoon. 

In addition to Babinski's tallies, FSU saw goals from junior forward Jared VanWormer, freshman forward Jacob Hetz and junior forward Kyle Schempp. 10 different Bulldog skaters registered a point in the contest.

Babinski didn't take long to start the scoring for Ferris State, putting a wrist shot past Huskies' goaltender Rob Nichols at 1:27 of the first period for his fourth strike of the year. Assists on the goal went to senior forward Matt Robertson and junior right wing Chad McDonald.

VanWormer extended the lead for FSU later on in the opening frame, scoring his second of the year from senior defenseman Sean O'Rourke at 10:26. Deep into the offensive zone on a forechecking play, the puck found VanWormer at the bottom of the right circle. The assistant captain then used a wrister to make it 2-0 Bulldogs.

In the second period Hetz scored for the second consecutive game at 3:42 to make it 3-0 Ferris State from senior defenseman Brandon Anselmini and junior blueliner Ryan Lowney. After securing a turnover at the top of the offensive zone, Hetz blasted a shot past an unexpected Nichols and continunted the momentum for FSU.

Next, Schempp found the net with a backhand shot just 12 seconds into a Bulldogs power play to make it 4-0 with assists by junior forward Gerald Mayhew and senior defenseman Simon Denis.

The Huskies got on the board in the latter half of the second period and made it a 4-2 game with a short-handed goal from Corey Ronan and an even strength tally by Max Letunov.

But Ferris State got the defense they needed in front of freshman goaltender Darren Smith in the final frame, allowing just seven shots on goal from UConn in the third to hold the lead.

Babinski's final strike came with an empty net at the Huskies end in the last minute of the game. Robertson was credited with his second helper of the night the close out the scoring.

Smith finished with 25 saves to secure his sixth win of the season for the Bulldogs, while Nichols had 21 stops in a losing effort for Connecticut. FSU finished 1-for-3 with the man advantage, while holding the Huskies off the board 0-for-5 when penalty killing. UConn outshot the Bulldogs 27-26 in the contest.

Ferris State will be back on the Ewigleben Arena ice surface for a WCHA conference series against the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers on Jan. 15-16. Both games are scheduled to begin at 7:07 p.m.

Tickets for the lone home series' in the month of January are on sale now and can be bought in person at the FSU Athletics Ticket Office, online at StarTickets.com or by calling 1-800-585-3737. For more information, please call (231) 591-2888 or visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com.