Babinski's Game-Winner In OT Lifts #16 Bulldogs Past #20 NMU In Series' Opener

Highlights 

Big Rapids, Mich. - Junior forward Kenny Babinski scored 52 seconds into overtime to give the 16th-ranked Ferris State University men's ice hockey team a thrilling 1-0 road win over 20th-ranked Northern Michigan on Friday (Nov. 7) night at the Berry Events Center in Marquette.

Following a scoreless three periods of action, Babinski notched his first goal of the year on a top-shelf shot from the middle of the right circle early in the extra stanza as FSU recorded its second overtime victory of the year. 

The win came in the series' opener between the two Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) opponents as the Bulldogs handed NMU its first loss of the 2014-15 campaign. FSU evened its mark at 4-4-0 on the year and improved to 1-2-0 in the WCHA while the Wildcats dropped to 5-1-1 overall and 2-1-0 in league action.

Babinski's overtime goal was assisted by freshman forward Andrew Mayer, who registered his first collegiate assist. 

The goal from Babinski broke a scoreless deadlock as neither team was able to find the back of the net in a goaltender's duel on the Olympic ice sheet at the Berry Events Center. Ferris State senior captain CJ Motte made 24 saves on the Bulldog side while NMU's Mathias Dahlstrom tallied 35 saves for the Wildcats.

The shutout win by Motte was the 12th of his collegiate career, which leads all active goaltenders on the NCAA Division I level. It was also his second shutout in the last three games to date this year.

Overall, Ferris State held a 36-24 edge in total shots with seven in the opening period, 16 in the second, 12 in the third and the lone shot from Babinski in overtime. Northern Michigan totaled eight saves in period one followed by four in the second and 12 in the third.

FSU was called for four penalties in the contest totaling eight minutes while NMU was whistled three times for six minutes, but neither squad was able to convert on three power-play tries apiece.

Freshman Tyler Andrew paced FSU with a contest-best six total shots on the night while Babinski and junior Brandon Anselmini both had four total shots each. Freshman Mitch Maloney added three shots on goal for Ferris State in the victory.

This year's trip to Marquette represents the fifth-straight year in which the Bulldogs have visited NMU. FSU improved to to 4-1-2 in its last seven meetings against the Wildcats at the Berry Events Center with the win and the Bulldogs have now posted a 4-0-1 mark versus NMU since the start of the 2013-14 campaign.

The two teams will wrap up the weekend series on Saturday (Nov. 8) night with the puck drop set for 7:07 p.m. (ET) in Marquette. The contest can be heard live on Sunny 97.3 FM and the Bulldog Sports Network starting with pregame coverage a half-hour prior to puck drop. 

Following this weekend's action in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Ferris State returns home to begin a four-game homestand at the Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids. 

FSU will first host Alaska-Anchorage in a special Thursday-Friday series on Nov. 13-14. The Thursday opener will mark Veteran's Appreciation Night with the Bulldogs donning special camo jerseys for the fundraising initiative. Friday will be "Ladies Night" with special ticket discounts and more for women. 

Visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com for complete details. Tickets can be purchased at the FSU Athletics Ticket Office, online at StarTickets.com or by calling 1-800-585-3737.