Overtime Goal Lifts Alaska Past Ferris State In Weekend Series Finale

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Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team battled the Alaska Nanooks to overtime for the second consecutive night, but came up short in a 2-1 setback as the two teams squared off inside FSU's Ewigleben Ice Arena in Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) action.

The Bulldogs and the Nanooks wrapped up the weekend series before a crowd of more than 2,000 fans inside the Ewigleben Ice Arena. FSU jumped in front early, however Alaska earned the game-winner early in the extra stanza to come away with the victory.

Ferris State struck early as senior forward Gerald Mayhew tallied his team-leading 12th goal of the season only 49 seconds into the contest off an assist from sophomore Corey Mackin, who tallied his ninth assist this year.

Alaska responded 12:25 into the opening frame when Tayler Munson picked up his third goal this campaign off assists from Chad Staley and Tyler Cline. It was the eighth assist of the year for Staley and the sixth for Cline.

Neither team was able to find the net in the second frame as the score stood 1-1 going into the final frame. The Bulldogs had opportunities in all three frames and outshot Alaska 13-11 in final period, but the score remained deadlocked.

In overtime, Alaska's Danny Kiraly notched the game-winner only 25 seconds into the session on a deep shot from just outside the circle in front of the Alaska bench. Cline and Zach Frye earned the assists on the marker.

Ferris State finished the contest with a 46-28 edge in total shots, which included 16 in the first period along with 17 in the second and 13 in the third. Alaska produced seven shots in period one followed by nine in the second and 11 in the final period of action.

Sophomore goaltender Darren Smith stopped 26 shots while playing the entire 60:25 in net for FSU. Meanwhile, Davis Jones earned the victory for the Nanooks with 45 saves in going the distance.

Ferris State finished 0-of-4 on the power play for the evening as Alaska was called for six penalties totaling 23 minutes. FSU had four infractions for eight minutes with Alaska going 0-of-3 with the man advantage.

Ferris State hits the road next week as FSU travels to Minnesota to face league leader Bemidji State on Friday and Saturday (Jan. 20-21). Both games get underway at 8:07 p.m. (ET).

The Bulldogs then return home to host Bowling Green on Jan. 27-28 in Big Rapids. The Friday night tilt will be carried live across the country by the American Sports Network and will start at 8:37 p.m. (ET) with the finale on Saturday slated for the normal 7:07 p.m. puck drop. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at StarTickets.com or call (231) 591-2888 for additional information.