Mayhew's OT Winner Gives Ferris State Hockey First Sweep of the Season

Mayhew's OT Winner Gives Ferris State Hockey First Sweep of the Season

Big Rapids, Mich. — Gerald Mayhew's overtime winning goal 14 seconds into the extra frame gave the Ferris State Bulldogs a 2-1 come from behind victory over the University of Alaska Nanooks at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks, Alaska on Saturday night in Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) play.

With the win, the Bulldogs have swept an opponent for the first time during the 2015-16 season and are unbeaten in their last seven games dating back to Jan. 2.

The Nanooks took a 1-0 lead just 35 seconds into the first period on a goal by John Mullally, but it turned out to be their only goal of the night. Freshman goaltender Darren Smith turned aside 31 shots in the game and earned his 10th victory of the year.

On the weekend, Smith made 51 saves on 52 shots, allowing just one puck to get past him. The reigning WCHA Rookie of the Month now has a goals against average of 1.94 and a save percentage at .933 for the season.

After a scoreless second period, junior forward Chad McDonald tied the game with a power play goal at 5:02 of the third frame. Assists on the goal were credited to senior defenseman Brandon Anselmini and sophomore forward Drew Mayer.

McDonald finished the weekend with three points on a goal and two assists, while Anselmini has picked up eight points in his last eight games and Mayer owns a 3-game point streak, scoring in six of his last eight games.

Mayhew's strike in overtime was his ninth of the season and his first game-winner. Anselmini and senior forward Kyle Schempp were given assists on the play.

The Bulldogs finished 1-for-2 on the power play in the contest, while Alaska was 0-for-1. The Nanooks also outshot FSU 32-26 in the game.

Ferris State now returns home for a weekend series against Northern Michigan Feb. 12-13 at the Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids. Both games are scheduled to begin at 7:07 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased 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.