Ferris State Hockey Officially Clinches WCHA Postseason Berth With Weekend-Opening Triumph

Game Highlights   
Postgame Press Conference 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey officially clinched a berth in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Playoffs with a 4-1 win over the Lake Superior State Lakers on Friday (Feb. 23) evening before a crowd of more than 2,000 fans inside the Ewigleben Ice Arena.

Ferris State junior and captain Corey Mackin scored twice while junior goaltender Darren Smith put up one of his finest performances of the year in goal with 37 stops.

The Bulldogs started quick as Mackin netted his first of the night on a rush only 45 seconds into the contest from sophomore defenseman Joe Rutkowski (11) and senior forward Mitch Maloney (9).

Mackin then scored the eventual game-winning goal for his 10th lamplighter of the year and second of the game at 2:38 of the middle period from Maloney (10) and sophomore defenseman Nate Kallen (11), giving FSU a 2-0 edge.

Late in the period, the Bulldogs made it 3-0 when senior forward Zack Szajner scored his first of the year from sophomore defenseman Cameron Clarke (5) on a deflection from a shot out of the right-wing corner.

Lake Superior State snapped the shutout bid at 10:49 of the third when Hampus Erikkson scored his fourth marker of the year on the power play with an extra attacker from Anthony Nellis and Max Humitz.

Despite an extra attacker for long stretches in the final 10 minutes of regulation, the Lakers couldn't find the next goal and it was Ferris State freshman Coale Norris who capped the scoring with an empty netter for his eighth of the season at 19:55 of the third from junior Trevor Recktenwald (4). 

The Lakers held a 38-30 shots on goal advantage and went 1-of-5 on the power play while the Bulldogs went 0-of-2 with the man-advantage.

The Bulldogs will wrap up the regular season on Saturday (Feb. 24) evening against Lake Superior State in the finale with the puck drop set for 7:07 p.m. (ET) inside the Ewiglebne Ice Arena. Ferris State will honor its senior class in a special pregame ceremony at approximately 6:45 p.m. (ET) and fans are encouraged to wear red as part of the "Red Out Wink & The Rink" promotion in support of Healthy Heart Month and the Cardiac Pulmonary Unit of Spectrum Big Rapids.

A large crowd is expected for Saturday's regular-season finale and tickets are going fast. The ticket office will open at noon on Saturday inside the Ewigleben Sports Complex or call (231) 591-2888 for additional ticket information.

Following Saturday's final day of regular-season action, official pairings for the WCHA Postseason Tournament will be announced by the league office with the best-of-three first round set to take place March 2-4 at campus sites to be announced.