Big Third Period Lifts 'Dawgs To Win In Alaska As Series Opens In Anchorage

Postgame Audio (Assistant Coach Dave Cencer) 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team scored three times in the final period and beat host Alaska Anchorage for the sixth consecutive time with a 4-1 triumph on Thursday (Jan. 8) night at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, Alaska.

FSU broke a 1-1 tie heading into the final period with a key early third period goal and the Bulldogs then tacked on two more to snap a four-game skid and beat the Seawolves for the third time this campaign.

The victory came in FSU's third game over the past week in Alaska and opened a two-game series' with Alaska Anchorage with the finale set for Friday (Jan. 9) night. 

The Seawolves, who were coming off back-to-back league road setbacks last weekend at Alabama Huntsville in Western Collegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play, jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second frame following a scoreless opening period.

UAA struck first on Blake Leask's third goal of the campaign as the Seawolves rushed the net when play moved towards the FSU net soon after a Bulldog scoring opportunity in the offensive zone. Scott Allen picked up his sixth assist of the year with Brett Cameron notching his seventh helper this year.

However, only six minutes later, the Bulldogs tied the game back up on sophomore forward Kyle Schempp's fourth goal of the season. The New York Islanders draft pick crashed the net for the goal assisted by sophomore forward Chad McDonald and junior forward Matt Robertson, who picked up their fifth and 15th assists of the year, respectively.

The two teams took the ice for the final period tied at a goal apiece, but the deadlock didn't last long as FSU junior Simon Denis recorded his second goal of the year only 25 seconds into the final period of action. The defensemen, who played the right wing position on FSU's first line at forward in the game, produced the eventual game-winner on a shot from the right circle to put the score in the Bulldogs' favor. Sophomore forward Jared VanWormer registered his third assist of the campaign with senior forward Justin Buzzeo producing his eighth assist.

Buzzeo pushed the Bulldogs' lead to two goals at the 12:06 mark of the third by scoring his fourth lamplighter of the year on a top shelf shot. His second point of the evening was assisted by VanWormer, who also attained his second point of the night, along with junior defenseman Brandon Anselmini. 

Ferris State later added an empty net goal at 19:11 of the third off the stick of Robertson, who was credited with his fifth goal and team-leading 20th point of the year. McDonald posted his second assist of the game and sixth of the year on the final marker.

The Bulldogs finished with a 23-18 edge in total shots for the night, including a seven to five advantage in the opening frame. UAA had one more shot than FSU in the middle frame before the Bulldogs put 11 shots on goal in the third to only seven for the Seawolves.

Senior goaltender and 2015 Hobey Baker Award candidate CJ Motte made 17 saves for Ferris State in earning his 10th victory of the year and 58th triumph of his collegiate career. Meanwhile, Alaska Anchorage's Oliver Mantha stopped 19 Bulldog scoring chances in taking the loss.

Ferris State was called for five penalties totaling 10 minutes in the box, but FSU's penalty kill unit proved up to the challenge and held UAA scoreless in five tries with the man advantage. The Bulldogs' power play went 0-of-3 with the Seawolves totaling three infractions for six minutes overall.

With the win, Ferris State moved to 10-11-1 overall and 7-6-0 in league action while UAA fell to 5-10-4 overall and 2-9-2 in conference play.

The two teams will meet again to wrap up the series and the Bulldogs' trip to Alaska on Friday (Jan. 9) evening beginning at 11:07 p.m. (ET). The broadcast can be heard live on the Bulldog Sports Network and Sunny 97.3 FM staring with pregame coverage at 10:30 p.m.

Following this week's action, the Bulldogs return home to host Minnesota State in league action on Jan. 16-17 at the Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at StarTickets.com or call (231) 591-2888 for additional information.

Bulldog Bites: The Bulldogs are essentially midst a 15-day road trip that began with an appearance at the Great Lakes Invitational in Detroit and also included last weekend's league series against the Alaska Nanooks in Fairbanks ..... FSU moved to 7-1-1 all-time against the Seawolves with the win and has not lost to UAA regulation in 27 years .... The Bulldogs previously swept UAA in Big Rapids back in November this year and also topped Anchorage in last year's WCHA Semifinals at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids .... Denis led FSU with a game-high four total shots .... Ferris State climbed back into fourth place in the league standings with the win.