Late Flurry Leads Ferris State To Fourth WCHA Win In Last Five League Outings

Highlights

Big Rapids, Mich. - A flurry of third period goals in the final 10 minutes lifted the Ferris State University men's ice hockey squad to a 5-2 win over Lake Superior State in Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) action on home ice Friday (Dec. 12) night at the Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids.

The Bulldogs scored four times in the final period to rally from a 2-1 deficit to notch the win over the Lakers in the weekend opener before more than 1,800 fans. With the win, Ferris State improved to 8-7-1 overall and 5-4-0 in the WCHA while winning for the fourth time in the last five league outings.

Ferris State, playing without two key regulars in sophomore Chad McDonald and senior Jason Binkley, struck first late in the opening period on freshman Andrew Mayer's second collegiate goal at 17 minutes of the initial stanza. Sophomore defenseman Ryan Lowney recorded the helper on the first goal of the night.

The 1-0 score stood up until the final minute of the middle frame when LSSU's Austin McKay notched his fourth lamplighter of the season off assists from Bryce Schmitt and Chris Ciotti. The power-play goal tied the contest up at a goal apiece heading into the final 20 minutes of action.

Lake Superior State grabbed its only lead of the evening 9:09 into the final period when Schmitt recorded his sixth goal of the campaign on an unassisted short-handed shot.

However, Ferris State responded quickly as senior forward Dom Panetta registered his first goal this season less than 15 seconds later at 9:21 of the final period. Freshman Zach Szajner tallied his first assist with junior Zach Dorer also picked up his first helper of the year on the tying goal.

The Bulldogs then regained the lead with 5:25 remaining as junior forward Kenny Babinski scored the eventual game-winner. His third goal of the season was assisted by senior forward Justin Buzzeo and sophomore Jared VanWormer as the duo notched their fourth and first assists of the season, respectively.

Then, just more than three minutes later at 17:51 of the third, the Bulldog lead grew to two scores. Sophomore forward Gerald Mayhew earned his sixth goal of the year on an empty-netter as LSSU pulled its goaltender looking for the tying score. Junior Matt Robertson was credited with his 12th assist of the season with Lowney picked up his sixth of the year and second of the night.

The Bulldogs added a final goal with 14 seconds to play off the stick of Dorer, who tallied his second of the season. Junior Sean O'Rourke and Szajner both received their second assists of the campaign on the victory-sealing marker.

Ferris State senior goaltender CJ Motte made 26 saves in net for the Bulldogs to earn the win, which included six in the opening period, 14 in the second and six more in the third.

Meanwhile, LSSU's Gordon Defiel played 59:08 in net for the Lakers and stopped 37 shots. He had 12 in the opening period followed by 14 in the second and 11 over the final 20 minutes of action as FSU held a decided 42-28 margin in total shots for the night.

In addition to the Bulldogs' 42 total shots, they also had a penalty shot late in the game by O'Rourke after LSSU displaced the net and a delay of game infraction was called, but Defiel came up with the save.

Both teams finished with 10 penalties overall with the Lakers notching 28 minutes in the box and FSU totaling 20 minutes in the sin bin. Each team capitalized once on the power play with FSU going one-of-five and the Lakers finishing one-of-seven.

By virtue of his game-winner, Babinski claimed the game's first star while Motte received the second and Panetta took home the third.

LSSU fell to 3-16-0 overall and 3-10-0 in league action with the setback.

With the win, the Bulldogs have now won the past six matchups against LSSU, including a four-game sweep last season. This weekend's two-game set marks the Bulldogs' last home action in the 2014 calendar year as FSU will not return to home ice until mid-January.

The Bulldogs improved to 21-3-1 in their last 25 home outings with the triumph.

The two teams will square off again in the series' finale on Saturday (Dec. 13) night with puck drop set for 7:07 p.m. (ET) at the Ewigleben Ice Arena. Tickets are on sale now at StarTickets.com or by calling 1-800-585-3737. More information is available online at FerrisStateBulldogs.com.

The Bulldogs will hold their annual "Teddy Bear Toss" during Saturday's game and fans are encouraged to bring a new or gently used teddy bear to thorw on the ice after the Bulldogs score their first goal. All teddy bears will then be donated to the Salvation Army for use during the holiday season. Additionally, drop-off boxes will also be available for other non-tossable toys as any and all toys are donations will be welcome.