Bulldogs Challenge With Late Comeback Effort But Fall To Northern Michigan On The Road

Bulldogs Challenge With Late Comeback Effort But Fall To Northern Michigan On The Road

Marquette, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team fell 5-3 on the road at the Berry Events Center to the Northern Michigan Wildcats in Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) play on Saturday (Jan. 30).

The Wildcats pushed in front after a scoreless first period when Alex Frye gave them the lead at 6:43 of the second frame on a wraparound play.

Ferris State tied the game when Justin Michaelian ripped his team-leading sixth goal of the year past NMU goaltender Nolan Kent to even the game at 1-1 on a breakaway at 11:51 of the second period.

Northern Michigan replied with three straight tallies, first when Andre Ghantous scored at 14:18 for a 2-1 NMU lead, followed by Brandon Schultz on the power play at 18:36 of the second frame. Colby Enns scored unassisted on the rush at 3:40 of the third period to cap the run.

The Bulldogs clawed back, first on a power play rush when freshman forward Mitch Deelstra fired a shot past Kent to cut the Wildcat lead to 4-2 with his sixth goal of the campaign. Freshman defenseman Ben Schultheis (3) and junior forward Ethan Stewart (4) earned helpers on the play.

Later, at 17:18 of the third, junior forward Jake Transit picked off a clearing attempt and rang a shot off the back bar for his third goal of the year to cut NMU's edge to 4-3. 

After a late scrum in front, the Bulldogs couldn't beat Kent for the tie, and NMU's Griffin Loughran scored a goal on the empty net at 19:00 for the 5-3 final.

The Wildcats had a 33-24 lead in shots on goal with the Bulldogs holding a 13-9 edge in the third period. Ferris State finished 1-4 on the power play and held Northern Michigan 1-8.

Ferris State freshman goaltender Logan Stein made 28 saves while Kent picked up the win for Northern Michigan with 21.

Ferris State returns home to battle the nationally #18-ranked Michigan Tech Huskies on Tuesday (Feb. 2) at 7:07 p.m. (ET) in WCHA play inside the Ewigleben Ice Arena. Limited tickets remain, visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com for additional ticket information.