Late Goal Enables Bulldogs To Forge Tie With Bemidji State In Weekend Opener

Game Highlights 
Postgame Press Conference 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey forced a tie with a late goal at home against the Bemidji State Beavers in Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) play on Friday (Feb. 8) night at the Ewigleben Ice Arena.

Ferris State senior forward Trevor Recktenwald scored with 9.1 seconds remaining to even the contest at 3-3 in regulation. Bemidji State picked up the extra WCHA point in the three-on-three overtime period on a goal by Charlie Combs at 4:50 of the fifth frame.

The Bulldogs fell behind at 15:55 of the opening period when Tyler Kirkup flipped a loose puck over junior netminder Justin Kapelmaster for a 1-0 BSU lead unassisted.

Early in the second period, Ferris State freshman forward Hunter Wendt deflected a point shot past Bemidji State goaltender Zach Driscoll to knot the game at 1-1 on the shorthanded goal. Senior defenseman Zach Tierney took the initial shot and earned his third assist of the year on the play while sophomore forward Coale Norris earned his seventh.

Later, at 5:36 of the second, Ferris State sophomore forward Lucas Finner scored his fourth goal of the season, firing a shot through Driscoll that beat him to the top left corner assisted by Norris (10), which gave FSU a 2-1 edge.

The Beavers scored twice in less than four minutes to take a 3-2 lead, first at 2:48 when Tyler Vold tied the game, followed by Alex Ierullo at 6:09 of the period.

With the extra attacker, Reckentwald tied the game for Ferris State with his second goal of the year, backhanding a rebound under Driscoll to tie the game up with 9.1 seconds on the clock. Senior forward Corey Mackin (12) and freshman defenseman Cooper Zech (20) picked up assists on the tying goal.

Ferris State outshot Bemdiji State 35-29 in regulation and the first overtime. The Bulldogs had a 13-2 advantage in the second period alone in total shots. Both sides failed to register a power play goal as the Beavers finished 0-3 and the Bulldogs 0-2.

For the Bulldogs, Kapelmaster picked up the tie on 26 saves while Driscoll finished with 32 for the Beavers.

Ferris State hosts Bemidji State in the series finale on Saturday (Feb. 9) night with puck drop set for 7:07 p.m. (ET) at the Ewigleben Ice Arena. For tickets, please call (231) 591-2888 for additional information or visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com.