Salmenkangas Shines As Bulldogs Best Miami On Road

Oxford, Ohio - A dazzling performance in goal and a late second period goal pushed the Ferris State University men's ice hockey team past the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks 3-1 on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Goggin Ice Center.

In goal for Ferris State, sophomore goaltender Roni Salmenkangas made 33 saves as he pushed his season save percentage to .968 in his second start. 

Ferris State was outshot 15-5 in the opening frame, but nine of Miami's 15 shots on goal came from the perimeter as the Bulldogs held the Redhawks out of the middle of the ice.

FSU struck first at 12:28 of the second period when junior forward Liam MacDougall kicked a pass to senior defenseman Joe Rutkowski from behind the Bulldog goal, who hit junior forward Marshall Moise on a stretch pass up the seam. Moise drove hard past a Miami defender and buried his first goal of the season for a 1-0 Bulldog lead. Rutkowski earned his third assist of the season on the play, while MacDougall picked up his first.

The lead lasted 29 seconds as Miami's Ryan Savage scored at 12:57 off a rebound chance to tie the game at 1-1.

Later, at 16:56, Ferris State senior forward Jason Tackett picked off a pass in neutral ice and hit junior forward Coale Norris on a breakaway down the left wing. Norris blasted a missile labeled for the top right corner that hit the backbar and kicked out for a 2-1 Bulldog edge. The goal was Norris' second of the year while Tackett picked up his first assist of the year.

In the third period, Ferris State got off to a fiery start, outshooting the Redhawks 12-6 in the first few minutes of the third period.

Ferris State junior forward Lucas Finner lifted a shot on the power play over prone Miami goaltender Ryan Larkin for a 3-1 Bulldog advantage. Sophomore forward Jake Transit made the cross ice feed for his first assist of the year while Rutkowski picked up his team-leading fourth assist of the year and second of the game.

The Bulldogs held Miami 0/4 on the power play, and scored once on two attempts on their own man advantage. Miami finished with a 34-29 advantage in shots on goal, but Ferris State had a 24-19 advantage in the last 40 minutes of the game.

For Ferris State, Salmenkangas picked up his second win of the season, while Larkin took the loss for Miami.

The Bulldogs return home to take on the Northern Michigan Wildcats on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25-26. Friday's puck drop is set for 7:07 pm ET, with Saturday set for 6:07 pm ET. 

Friday night's contest is Think Pink Night presented by Zeta Tau Alpha and fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. Saturday's contest features the Ferris State's Meijer Hockey Family Night, with four tickets, four soft drinks and four hot dogs for $48. The whole weekend is also Ferris State Family and Friends Weekend. Fans can register for discount tickets for family and friends through ferris.edu.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased in advance - call (231) 591-2888 for additional information or visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com.