Bulldogs Register Shutout Victory Over Michigan To Open Weekend

Highlights 
Press Conference     

Big Rapids, Mich. - The nationally 17th-ranked Ferris State University men's hockey team posted an impressive 5-0 victory in Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) action over the Michigan Wolverines inside the Ewigleben Ice Arena on Friday (Nov. 30) night to open a weekend home series.

The win was the Bulldogs' fourth-straight triumph of the campaign and came in the 100^th all-time series meeting versus the Wolverines.  A near sellout crowd of 2,191 fans witnessed the shutout victory.

After a scoreless first period, FSU sophomore defenseman Simon Denis tallied his third goal of the season early into the second period on the power play at 6:23. Sophomore wing TJ Schlueter and junior wing Justin DeMartino picked up the helpers.

Senior wing Eric Alexander scored the second power play goal of the evening on a pass from junior wing Garrett Thompson and sophomore defenseman Jason Binkley late in the second period at 15:08 to make it a two-goal lead. The lamplighter marked Alexander's third goal of the season and came in his first contest back from an injury.

Then, just over two minutes later at 17:54, freshman wing Matt Robertson gave the Bulldogs a 3-0 advantage over the Wolverines on an even-strength goal when he notched his first collegiate marker. Freshman center Kenny Babinski and freshman defenseman Brandon Anselmini earned the assists on the all-rookie goal.

Michigan was unable to stop the fourth FSU goal of the evening as freshman wing Dakota Klecha scored his second goal of the season at 5:59 of the final frame at even-strength. Freshman defenseman Sean O'Rourke and Robertson were credited with the assists.

Then, late in the third period at 17:52, Thompson scored a short-handed goal off a pass from senior center Travis Ouellette to seal the Bulldog victory. The marker was Thompson's fourth of the season.

Sophomore Bulldog goaltender CJ Motte earned his second shutout of the season by saving a total of 27 shots while goaltender Jared Rutledge made 22 saves for the Wolverines. The Bulldogs and Wolverines were tied with 27 shots apiece.

The Bulldogs had six penalties on the night totaling 12 minutes and the Wolverines totaled eight penalties for 16 minutes. The Bulldogs scored two power-play goals on the evening in six opportunities with the man-advantage while the Wolverines could not convert on four chances.

With the Bulldogs' first victory against the Wolverines since 2010, they improved to 7-4-2 along with 6-3-0 in the CCHA. Meanwhile, the Wolverines dropped to 5-8-1 overall and 3-6-1 (1) in the CCHA.