Ferris State Hockey Erupts For Double-Digit Goals In Decisive Series-Opening Win

Highlights   

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team's offense came alive in a big way on Thursday (Nov. 13) night as the Bulldogs erupted for a 10-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) home win over visiting Alaska Anchorage to open a two-game set at the Ewigleben Ice Arena.

Ferris State tallied a season-best 10 goals, including six in the second period alone, en route to the triumph on Veteran's Appreciation Night while wearing special camo jerseys. A number of special events also took place in conjunction with the tribute to veterans, which served as a fundraising effort for a new memorial park to be located in Big Rapids.

The 10 goals scored by the Bulldogs were FSU's most since a Oct. 18 home victory in 2002 against Bowling Green.

The Bulldogs jumped on the board first in the special Thursday evening contest as sophomore Chad McDonald notched his fourth goal of the year at 11:04 of the opening period. It was assisted by fellow sophomore Kyle Schempp as FSU grabbed the initial advantage.

However, the Seawolves struck right back with Blake Tatchell notching his second goal of the campaign just over a minute later at 12:08 of the opening stanza. The even-strength marker was aided by Chase Van Allen and Scott Allen.

The Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead at the end of the opening period as sophomore forward Jared VanWormer picked up his second goal this season on the power-play at 16:29 of the first frame. Both McDonald and junior Matt Robertson tallied assists.

Ferris State started quickly in the second period as Robertson scored only 1:09 out of the locker room on a shot assisted by both McDonald and sophomore Gerald Mayhew.

Then, at 3:42 of the middle stanza, freshman Tyler Andrew recorded his first career goal with assists to seniors Dominic Panetta and Jason Binkley. The goal gave FSU a 4-1 advantage.

The lead grew to four goals when senior forward Justin Buzzeo found the back of the net at 8:20 of the second for his second goal this year. His marker was assisted by freshman Andrew Mayer.

The Bulldogs added two goals less than 17 seconds apart to push the lead to 6-1 in the second period. The first came from Binkley as the senior defenseman registered his first goal of the year at 15:02 off an assist from a fellow senior in Buzzeo. Mayhew then jumped into the goal scoring column by scoring his second goal of the campaign in unassisted fashion at 15:19 of the second period.

FSU added one more goal in the second when McDonald tallied his second goal of the evening and fourth point of the contest at with 90 seconds to go in the middle frame. It represented his fifth goal this year and was assisted by Robertson along with defenseman Ryan Lowney.

The scoring didn't stop for the Bulldogs early in the third period as junior defenseman Zach Dorer earned his first goal of the season only 1:48 into the final 20 minutes of play. A pair of freshmen were credited with assists on his goal including forward Mitch Maloney and Tyler Andrew.

Mahyew picked up his second goal of the evening at 7:34 of the third to account for FSU's final goal. His third goal of the year came off assists from defenseman Sean O'Rourke and Maloney.
Alaska Anchorage would post the game's final goal on a shot by Zack Russell, who tallied his first goal with assists to both Austin Azurdia and Hayden Trupp.

Overall, Ferris State held a decisive 40-20 edge in total shots, which included a commanding 17-4 margin in the second period. FSU also posted a 13-6 advantage in the initial period while both teams finished with 10 shots apiece in the final 20 minutes.

Senior captain CJ Motte earned the win in net for the Bulldogs as he allowed only a single goal and came up with 14 saves in 50:35 of action to improve to 5-5-0 on the year. Big Rapids sophomore Trace Pennock saw action in reserve and made four saves in 9:25 between the pipes.

For Alaska Anchorage, Olivier Mantha took the loss to fall to 3-3-1 on the season after giving up four goals in the initial 25:54 of the contest. Michael Matyas allowed six goals in relief in 34:06 of work. Mantha and Matyas finished with 16 and 14 saves, respectively.

Both teams were saddled with penalties duirng the middle period and overall UAA was called for 11 penalties totaling 52 minutes in the box with FSU netting nine infractions for 26 minutes. 

By virtue of his two goals and four points, McDonald received the game's first star with Mayhew recording the second after his two-goal and three-point performance. Motte was the third star of the night in picking up the win.

FSU improved to 5-1-1 overall against the Seawolves with the win, which came in front of the 54th-straight sellout of FSU's "Dawg Pound" student section. It was also Ferris State's fifth win in a row over Anchorage. Overall, the Bulldogs are currently 18-2-1 in their last 21 home contests at the Ewigleben Ice Arena dating back to last year.

The two teams will meet again in the series' finale on Friday (Nov. 14) night as FSU continues its four-game homestand. The puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m. (ET). FSU then hosts Alabama Huntsville in league play on Nov. 21-22 in Big Rapids.

On Friday night, the Bulldogs will welcome new WCHA Commissioner Bill Robertson to the Ewigleben Ice Arena for the first time. Robertson will continue his tour of league campuses and have an opportunity to interract with local and regional media members on Friday afternoon along with various campus administrators and representatives.

Single-game tickets for all FSU home contests this season are currently on sale and can be bought online at StarTickets.com, by calling 1-800-585-3737 or purchased in person at the FSU Athletics Ticket Office. The ticket office will be open inside the Ewigleben Sports Complex Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET) along with extended hours on Wednesday until 7 p.m. (ET).

Fans can save and avoid potential lines by purchasing in advance. For more ticket information, fans can visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com or call (231) 591-2888.