Ferris State Drops Opening Game Of Weekend Road Series In Huntsville

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team resumed Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) action on Saturday (Dec. 3) evening, but dropped a 5-3 decision to the University of Alabama-Huntsville Chargers as the two squads opened a weekend series in Huntsville, Ala.

Ferris State jumped on the board first only 3:36 into the opening period when Andrew Mayer notched his third goal of the year with a shorthanded tally in unassisted fashion.

Alabama-Huntsville struck back at 8:03 of the first frame when Kurt Gosselin scored his first of three goals on the evening with a shot aided by Hans Gorowsky and Max McHugh.

Then, less than two minutes later, the Chargers grabbed their first lead of the night when Gosselin recorded his second marker at even-strength off assists from Cam Knight and McHugh at 9:57 of the initial period.

After the Chargers took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission, Ferris State came back to knot the game up at two goals apiece midway thru the second period when Trevor Recktenwald found the back of the net for the second time this season. His goal was assisted by Mayer and Nate Kallen.

Ferris State then grabbed a 3-2 lead at the end of two periods when freshman forward Jason Tackett scored his first goal this season on the power play at 19:16 of the middle frame. Senior forward Jared VanWormer recorded his fourth assist of the year with senior Chad McDonald garnering his third for FSU.

However, the Chargers answered in the final period as Gosselin completed the hat trick with his seventh goal this season at 3:39 of the third to tie the game back up. Knight and McHugh both earned assists on the tying goal.

Soon after, Alabama-Huntsville took the lead for good when Gorowsky notched the game-winner for his fourth lamplighter this campaign at 5:22 of the final period. Matt Salhany picked up his fourth assist.

UAH's Knight then sealed the win with an empty-net tally at 19:48 of the third in unassisted fashion to account for the final score.

Freshman goaltender Justin Kapelmaster suffered his first collegiate loss in net for the Bulldogs despite making 28 saves in all but 1:23 of action. UAH's Jordan Uhelski earned the win with 29 saves in 60 minutes.

Alabama-Huntsville narrowly outshot FSU 33-32 for the night, including a 14-9 margin in the final 20 minutes of play. 

FSU went one-of-two on the power play and the Chargers were held scoreless in five tries with the man-advantage.

The two teams will wrap up the weekend series on Sunday (Dec. 4) afternoon starting at 4:07 p.m. (ET) in Huntsville.