FSU Hockey

Ferris State Battles #5 Minnesota State To Wire In WCHA Weekend Road Finale

Mankato, Minn. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team fell 4-2 to the nationally fifth-ranked Minnesota State University Mavericks on Saturday (Feb. 17) night as the two teams wrapped up a Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) weekend series at the Verizon Center.

FSU sophomore goaltender Justin Kapelmaster had one of his finest outings, making 43 saves in the contest.

The Mavericks built a 2-0 first period lead on goals by Brad McClure on the power play at 4:21 and C.J. Suess at 9:48 of the opening frame.

The Bulldogs returned fire early in the second period when junior defenseman Jacob Hetz rifled home his third goal of the year unassisted at 57 seconds of the middle frame.

Ferris State freshman forward Liam MacDougall then tied the game at the nine-minute mark of the second frame for his second goal of the year on a redirect. Freshman forward Lucas Finner (9) and sophomore defenseman Joe Rutkowski (10) assisted on MacDougall's goal, which evened the score.

Minnesota State reclaimed the lead when McClure scored his second of the game at 17:22 of the third from Reggie Lutz and Jake Jaremko for the game-winning goal. 

MSU's Suess added an insurance marker at 18:15 for the 4-2 final on a breakaway.

The Mavericks outshot Ferris State 47-20 for the night. The Bulldogs went 0-3 on the power play while the Mavericks went 1-8. Minnesota State had 12 power play shots on goal, 11 of which Kapelmaster turned aside.

Kapelmaster's 43 save performance is his third 40-plus save game of the season.

The Bulldogs return home to take on the Lake Superior State Lakers in the final regular-season action on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-24, at the Ewigleben Ice Arena. The series will be pivotal with both teams vying for the final WCHA postseason spots. 

Tickets for the final home regular-season action of the year are on sale now. Visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com or call (231) 591-2888 for additional information.