Senior Nate Hennig netted the game-winning goal and was recognized as the contest's first star. (Photo by Ed Hyde)

Posted: Oct 15, 2010

Ferris State Hockey Skates To 4-2 Victory Over St. Lawrence In Season Home Opener

*WATCH: Post-Game Conference-Nate Hennig*

*WATCH: Post-Game Conference-Head Coach Bob Daniels*

Four different skaters for the Ferris State University men's ice hockey team registered a goal as the Bulldogs were able to come away victorious in a 4-2 decision over the St. Lawrence Saints this Friday (Oct. 15) evening before a crowd of 1,539 spectators at FSU's Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids, Mich.

Ferris State, which improved its record to 2-1-0 overall this season, scored just 2:29 into the contest when sophomore right wing Matthew Kirzinger (Leroy, Saskatchewan) netted his first on the year during a delayed penalty on the Saints. The extra-man advantage paid dividends with the goal as a pair of freshmen, center Cory Kane (Irvine, Calif.) and left wing Garrett Thompson (Traverse City) collected an assist.

St. Lawrence would came back before the end of the opening frame, scoring with 3:48 remaining in the stanza on a Jacob Drewiske goal to even the score at 1-1 through 20 minutes of action.

The lone second period goal came off the stick of a Ferris State skater as Cory Kane picked up his first marker in a Bulldog jersey by taking the puck off a Garrett Thompson chip pass from within the defensive zone and carrying into the offensive one. Kane was successful in getting his shot past SLU goaltender Matt Weninger to put the hosts up 2-1 at 6:12 into the frame.

In the three-goal third period, Ferris State struck first and also would strike last as the Bulldogs increased their lead to 3-1 at 2:01 into the stanza when senior center Nate Hennig (Macomb) tallied his second goal of the season on an assist from junior defenseman Derek Graham (Schoolcraft). However, St. Lawrence would counter with their second score of the game just 3:14 later when Nick Pitsikoulis fired the puck between Bulldog junior goaltender Pat Nagle's (Bloomfield) pads for his first tally of the season to draw the Saints within a goal at 3-2.

The Bulldogs were able to gain a little breathing room with 5:26 remaining in the game as Garrett Thompson scored an insurance goal. Senior right wing Todd Pococke (Saginaw) along with Cory Kane earned a helper on Thompson's second marker of the 2010-11 campaign.

Seven different Ferris State skaters gained a mark in the points column, which featured three-point nights by both Garrett Thompson (1-2=3) and Cory Kane (1-2=3). Netminder Pat Nagle (2-0-0) was credited with the Ferris State win in a 21-saves performance while Matt Weninger turned away 20 Bulldog shots for the Saints.

Ferris State concluded the contest with a 24-23 edge in shots on goal despite the Saints claiming a 12-8 advantage for the final 20 minutes of action. Both teams were also unsuccessful in four power-play chances apiece.

The two teams will go up against one another this Saturday (Oct. 16) in the weekend series finale at FSU's Ewigleben Ice Arena. The puck will drop at 7:05 p.m. (EDT) and tickets can be purchased thru the Ferris State Athletics Ticket Office at (231) 591-2888 or via online at www.startickets.com.