The Streak Continues For Sixth-Ranked Ferris State As Bulldogs Sweep LSSU

Highlights
Post Game: Cencer

Big Rapids, Mich. - Another quick start allowed the nationally sixth-ranked Ferris State University men's ice hockey team to increase its nation-leading unbeaten streak to 13 consecutive games as the Bulldogs completed a Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) weekend road sweep over Lake Superior State with a 3-1 victory on Saturday (Dec. 7) night at Taffy Abel Ice Arena in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

The Bulldogs scored twice in the first 10 minutes of the opening period and preserved the win the rest of the way while improving to 13-2-2 overall. FSU also stayed unbeaten at 10-0-2 in WCHA action and has now captured 22 of a possible 24 points in its debut season in the conference.

With the weekend sweep over the 14th-ranked Lakers, the Bulldogs increased their first-place lead to eight points in the league standings. The weekend series' against the Lakers represented FSU's final conference games until their next home series on Jan. 10-11 against Michigan Tech in Big Rapids.

Scoring early has become a hallmark of the Bulldogs' success this season and FSU got off to yet another quick start with a goal from senior Justin DeMartino only 3:43 into the contest. Junior defenseman Jason Binkley and senior captain Scott Czarnowczan picked up the assists on DeMartino's fourth goal of the year.

FSU then added another goal at 9:53 of the first period when sophomore forward Matt Robertson found the back of the net on the power-play. It marked the seventh consecutive game in which Robertson has put the pick in the net as he scored for the eighth time overall this campaign with assists credited to Binkley and senior forward Garrett Thompson.

The score remained 2-0 in Ferris State's favor until 14:06 into the second frame when the Lakers scored for the only time on Alex Globke's eighth lamplighter of the year. Both Dan Radke and Colin Campbell earned assists.

That would be the only score the Lakers could muster, though, as Ferris State received another stellar performance in net from junior goaltender CJ Motte. The nation's winningest goaltender, he stayed unbeaten at 13-0-2 on the year by making 36 total saves, including 16 in the second period and 11 more in the third.

FSU eventually sealed the victory as Thompson scored on an empty at 18:58 of the third period off an assist from Robertson. The goal was Thompson's ninth of the year and marked the second point of the night for both individuals.

Lake Superior State fell to 9-6-1 overall and 5-5-0 in league action with the two back-to-back losses this weekend.

The Lakers suffered the loss on Saturday night despite outshooting the Bulldogs 37-22 for the game. FSU was also called for eight penalties totaling 16 minutes in the box, but held LSSU scoreless on six power-play tries.

Kevin Kapalka took the setback in net for the Lakers after making 19 saves, including 11 in the second period alone. He played 58:49 in net before being pulled for the extra skater.

On the LSSU side, the Lakers were called for six penalties for 23 minutes with Ferris State managing to score once in four opportunities with the man-advantage.

With the two weekend victories, the Bulldogs have now not dropped a game since Oct. 18 and own a current 7-1-1 mark in road contests this campaign.

The Bulldogs will continue their eight-game stretch away from home against Big Ten members Michigan (Dec. 11) and Michigan State (Dec. 14) along with an appearance in the Mariucci Classic hosted by Minnesota (Jan. 3-4) over the next few weeks.

Wednesday night's game at Michigan will be televised live across the country by Fox Sports Detroit Plus and will pit two top-10 teams with faceoff set for 7 p.m. (ET) at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor.  The Bulldogs then square off against MSU on Saturday in another televised game live on Comcast.