Bulldog Hockey Rolls Past Ryerson In Sunday Exhibition Tilt

Daniels Postgame

Big Rapids, Mich. - Defending national finalist and Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) regular-season champion Ferris State opened its 2012-13 campaign in impressive fashion on Sunday (Oct. 7) with a dominating 8-2 exhibition win over Ryerson University at the Ewigleben Ice Arena.

The preseason nationally 11th-ranked Bulldogs poured in three first period goals and cruised past the Rams before an announced crowd of 1,498 fans in Big Rapids.

Sophomore forward Nate Milam put the Bulldogs on the board first at 13:19 of the opening frame on an even-strength goal in unassisted fashion.

FSU added another goal at 15:41 of the first when junior wing Garrett Thompson cashed in during a 4-on-4 situation with a marker assisted by Travis White.

The final Bulldog goal of the first stanza came from senior captain Kyle Bonis off assists from Thompson and senior Travis Ouellette at 17:58.

The Bulldogs increased their lead quickly to start the second period by scoring two goals only 22 seconds apart.  The first came from junior wing Justin DeMartino  at 3:09 off a feed from freshman defenseman Brandon Anselmini.  The next was by freshman forward Kenny Babinski, who notched his goal at even-strength on an assist from fellow rookie forward Dakota Klecha.

Ryerson finally cracked the scoreboard at 14:49 of the second period when David Searle notched a power-play goal for the Rams that was unassisted.

The Rams trimmed the margin to 5-2 to start the third and final period when Michael Fine was able to light the lamp off a pass by Daniel Lombardi only 31 seconds into the period.

However, the Bulldogs quickly answered as DeMartino notched his second goal of the game 2:02 into the frame. The goal was assisted by both Babinski and freshman forward Matt Robertson.

Robertson got into the scoring act himself with less than two minutes to play when he scored off a feed by sophomore forward Justin Buzzeo.  

DeMartino wasn't done, though, as he found the back of the net again to complete a hat trick effort at 19:38 on a goal assisted by both Buzzeo and junior forward Andy Huff.

The Bulldogs utilized three goaltenders in the contest with sophomore CJ Motte playing the initial 20 minutes and making 10 saves.  Freshman Charles Williams stopped five shots in second period action while junior Rob Granett recorded a team-high 11 saves while playing the third and final period.

The Rams also used three netminders with Troy Passingham starting the contest and making 11 saves.  He surrendered three goals to the Bulldogs.  Steve Gleeson played the next 20 minutes and had 16 saves with Louie George finishing the outing in the third period and making nine saves.

Ferris State held a decisive 44-28 edge in total shots, which included a game-high 18 in the second period along with 14 in the first and 12 in the third period.

FSU finished 0-of-3 on the power play while the Rams were one-of-three with the man advantage.  Ryerson had seven penalties for 33 minutes with the Bulldogs netting six for 23 minutes.

Ferris State will open the 2012-13 regular-season on the road next weekend as the Bulldogs visit RPI on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12-13, for a two-game non-league set in Troy, N.Y.  Action gets underway both nights at 7:05 p.m. (ET) and the broadcast can be heard live on Sunny 97.3 FM and the Bulldog Sports Network online at FerrisStateBulldogs.com.

The Bulldogs will play their home-opening series on Oct. 19-20 as they entertain the Mercyhurst Lakers at the Ewigleben Ice Arena for a pair of 7:05 p.m. (ET) faceoffs.  FSU will celebrate its historic national runner-up finish a year ago by hoisting new banners inside the facility on Oct. 19.  Tickets can be obtained by calling the FSU Athletics Ticket Office at (231) 591-2888 or by visiting www.startickets.com.