Chargers Sink Bulldogs With Late Goal And Overtime Winner

Huntsville, Ala. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team took a lead into the final two seconds of regulation but a late tying goal and overtime power play gave the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers a 5-4 win in Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) action at the Von Braun Center on Friday (Jan. 8) night.

Ferris State junior forward Jake Transit had three assists in the game for the Bulldogs while freshman goaltender Logan Stein made 40 saves in his collegiate debut.

The Bulldogs jumped in front when freshman forward Antonio Venuto scored his first goal of the year, chipping in a shot at the right goal post for his first collegiate goal. Fellow freshman forward Stepan Pokorny and defenseman Ben Schultheis each earned their first collegiate points (assists) on the play.

UAH scored a pair of goals to go ahead, at 12:57 of the first on the power play when Tyrone Bronte tallied, followed by Drew Lennon at 5:31 of the second period.

Ferris State struck back when senior forward Coale Norris scored his third goal of the year at 9:21 od the second period from Transit (1) and Michaelian (4) on a rebound in front.

In the third, freshman forward Mitch Deelstra gave the Bulldogs the lead at 12:30 of the final period of regulation for his team-leading fourth goal of the year. Transit (2) and Michaelian (5) earned helpers on Deelstra's goal for the 3-2 Bulldog lead.

Moments later, the Chargers took advantage of a Bullog penalty when Tyr Thompson scored to tie the game at 3-3 at 15:38 of the third period.

Ferris State recaptured the lead at 17:23 when Norris found Michaelian out front of the Bulldog goal for a late 4-3 lead. Norris (3) and Transit (3) earned assists on Michaelian's third goal of the season.

With the net empty, Ferris State cleared the puck into the Charger end late. The clearing attempt bounced off a foot and came back up the ice where UAH dished it in front of the Bulldog goal. Ben Allen tied the game for UAH with two seconds remaining at 4-4.

In overtime, the Bulldogs gave up a 4-on-3 power play goal at 2:30 of the extra session when Dayne Finnson scored on a one-timer.

Ferris State was outshot 45-30, but had a 15-14 advantage in the middle frame. The Chargers went 3-6 on the man advantage, while the Bulldogs went 0-5. Fessenden picked up the win for Alabama Huntsville in goal on 26 stops.

The Bulldogs wrap up the season series with the Chargers on Satuday (Jan. 9) at the Von Braun Center at 8:07 pm ET.