FSU Hockey Sweeps Season-Opening Series
Big Rapids, Mich. - Junior left wing Kyle Bonis (Lindsay, Ontario) netted two goals and set up a third while freshman goaltender CJ Motte (St. Clair) had an impressive collegiate debut as the Ferris State University men's ice hockey team topped the St. Lawrence (N.Y.) Saints 5-1 on Saturday (Oct. 8) to open the 2011-12 campaign with a two-game series sweep. The non-league contest was played at the Appleton Arena in Canton, New York.
With the win, the Bulldogs start the 2011-12 campaign with a perfect 2-0 overall record. The Saints dropped to 0-2 after the loss.
Ferris State, which outshot the Saints 10-8 in the first period, got on the scoreboard first in the contest. Sophomore center Cory Kane (Irvine, Calif.) netted his first goal of the season just 1:50 into the first period with assists going to sophomore left wing Garrett Thompson (Traverse City) and freshman defender Jason Binkley (Powell, Ohio) as the Bulldogs struck first.
Bonis sarted his scoring 4:20 into the second period by tallying his second goal of the season. He notched the 5-on-3 power play goal off a pass from senior defender Brett Wysopal (LaGrange Park, Ill.) to the right wing corner where he sniped one over St. Lawrence goaltender Robby Moss' shoulder. At the 11:42 mark of the second period, St. Lawrence scored their lone goal with Chris Martin getting the power-play tally.
Bulldog junior forward Travis Ouellette (Windsor, Ontario) scored his third goal of the weekend with 5:41 left in the second period as he skated behind the net and took a backhand shot which went past the St. Lawrence goaltender. Junior left wing Eric Alexander (Kentwood) picked up the assist on the power-play goal.
Bonis netted his second goal of the game and third of the weekend with 4:32 left in the final period. Senior center Jordie Johnston (Rosetown, Saskatchewan) and junior right wing Matthew Kirzinger (Leroy, Saskatchewan) picked up the assists on the Bonis even strength goal. With 1:44 remaining in the tilt, Johnston notched his first goal of the season. Bonis, registering his third point of the game, passed the puck to Johnston at the left wing circle, who tapped it in the net as the St. Lawrence goaltender scrambled in the crease. Wysopal also earned an assist on the goal with his second helper of the night.
The Bulldogs were 2-of-4 on the power-play, and held the Saints to a 1-of-6 showing with their penalty kill. Ferris State outshot their opposition 35-17, including ten shots on the goal in the first period, and 16 in the second.
Motte earned the win by turning away 16 of the Saints' 17 shots on goal.
The Bulldogs return to Big Rapids for their home-opening series' next weekend (Oct. 14-15) as they faceoff against the RPI Enigneers in a two-game non-league series at the Ewigleben Ice Arena. The puck is slated to drop on both Friday and Saturday nights at 7:05 p.m. (ET).
Friday's game will be free to all FSU students who show a valid student identification card. Tickets are available by contacting the FSU Athletics Ticket Office at (231-591-2888. Fans may also purchase tickets online at www.startickets.com.