Chargers Defeat Bulldogs 4-3 In Sunday Afternoon Contest

Postgame Highlights
Postgame Press Conference

Big Rapids, Mich. -- The Ferris State Bulldogs men's ice hockey team fell 4-3 to the Alabama Huntsville Chargers on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 2) at Ewigleben Ice Arena in Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) play.

Senior forward Gerald Mayhew scored twice for FSU, while junior forward Tyler Andrew notched his first goal of the year for the Bulldogs. Redshirt freshman forward Craig Pefley continued his hot start to the season, assisting on both of Mayhew's goals. 

Ferris State found the net first on the power play when Andrew batted a puck between the legs of Charger goaltender Matt Larose at 10:45 of the opening period. Sophomore forward Trevor Recktenwald and junior forward Andrew Dorantes tallied assists on Andrew's goal as FSU took an early 1-0 lead.

UAH responded 32 seconds later when Matt Salhany scored his first of the season, with Brandon Salerno and Jordan Larson earning assists on the goal. 

The Bulldogs rebounded in the second period and regained the lead 36 seconds in when Mayhew scored his first goal of the season. Pefley fed Mayhew a cross-ice pass that Mayhew slid between the legs of Larose to take a 2-1 lead. Sophomore forward Mitch Maloney also earned an assist on Mayhew's first of the season. 

Brent Fletcher found the twine next for UAH to even the game, scoring his first of the season at 11:04 of the second. Cody Marooney was credited with the assist on Fletcher's goal, as the Chargers tied it up, 2-2.

The Chargers ttook the lead at 17:21 of the second when Max McHugh scored his second goal in as many games, this time, shorthanded. Kurt Gosselin and Cam Knight each earned assists on McHugh's shorthanded tally. 

Alabama Huntsville then took its first two-goal lead of the weekend when Brennan Saulnier scored at 6:33 of the third period, on a pass from Josh Kestner. The strike ended up as the game-winning goal.

Ferris State made a late charge, with Mayhew scoring his second of the night at 17:23 of the third. Pefley charged the net and fed a backhand pass through the top of the crease where Mayhew banked it home to pull the Bulldogs within one goal.

Larose earned his second win of the season for the Chargers, making 30 saves on 33 shots. Sophomore goaltender Darren Smith made 23 saves on 27 shots in a losing effort for Ferris State.

FSU finished 1-7 on the power play, while Alabama Huntsville went 1-2 with the man-advantage. 

The Bulldogs return to action for "Red Wings Night," at Ewigleben Ice Arena on Thursday (Oct. 6) against the Western Michigan Broncos. Ferris State will also raise its WCHA Championship banner prior to Thursday night's home contest. Puck drop is set for 7:07 pm ET between the Bulldogs and Broncos.