Two Third-Period Goals Spark #8 Bowling Green Past FSU In WCHA Encounter

Note: Photo Courtesy Todd Pavlack/BGSUHockey.com

Highlights

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team took a one-goal lead into the third and final period, but a pair of goals in the final frame lifted nationally eighth-ranked Bowling Green to a 3-2 win over the Bulldogs as the two squads wrapped up weekend action on Saturday (Feb. 7) evening in Bowling Green, Ohio.

The Falcons, who won Friday's series' opener in 2-1 fashion, scored two goals less than two minutes apart early in the last period to pull out the victory on home ice over the Bulldogs.

Ferris State started the scoring as FSU grabbed the early lead for the second-straight night with the initial marker 13:18 into the opening frame. Freshman defenseman Tyler Dorantes notched his first collegiate goal off assists from forwards Sean O'Rourke and Zach Szajner as the Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead.

However, the Falcons quickly answered as Dan DeSalvo recorded his second goal this season off a Ben Murphy assists at 14:31 of the opening stanza to knot the contest up at a goal apiece. It marked Murphy's eighth helper of the year.

The Bulldogs, though, regained a 2-1 lead on freshman forward Andrew Dorantes' second collegiate marker at 14:03 the middle period. His goal was assisted by defenseman Travis White, who picked up his first assist of the year.

The 2-1 lead stood up for the Bulldogs until 5:49 of the final frame when Murphy scored the equalizer for his 10th goal of the season. Connor Kucera netted his fourth assist with Brandon Hawkins grabbing his first of the year.

Bowling Green then surged ahead slightly more than a minute later as Pierre-Lcu Merier recorded his sixth goal of the year at 7:09 off an assist from Matt Pohlkamp. It would prove to be the eventual game-winner as the Falcons prevailed.

Ferris State suffered the setback despite outshooting BGSU 23-19 for the night. Both teams had five shots in the opening frame with FSU holding an 11-5 margin in the second and the Falcons outshooting the Bulldogs 9-7 in the final 20 minutes.

For the second-straight night, Bowling Green's Tommy Burke picked up the victory in net as he made 21 saves overall, including a game-high 10 in the middle period. FSU senior goaltender CJ Motte finished with 16 saves on the Bulldog side and stopped four shots in the opening period to go with five in the second and seven in the third.

Overall, Ferris State was called for only four penalties totaling eight minutes with the Falcons picking up five infractions for 13 minutes.

Ferris State dropped to 11-17-1 overall and 8-12-0 in the WCHA with the setback while Bowling Green improved to 17-6-5 on the year and 13-4-3 in league play.

The two teams head to Big Rapids for two games next weekend on Feb. 13-14 at the Ewigleben Ice Arena. Both games on the FSU campus will start at 7:07 p.m. (ET) and tickets are on sale now. Call 1-800-585-3737 to purchase or go online at StarTickets.com.

Fans can purchase one full-priced ticket for Friday's game in Big Rapids and get one free while supplies last thru the FSU Athletics Ticket Office. The Feb. 13 game will also feature a special local Festival of the Arts performance. Meanwhile, Saturday will be Star Wars Night with special characters on hand and two tickets for the Feb. 14 game can be bought for only $14 while supplies last. Call the FSU Athletics Ticket Office at 231-591-2888 for details Monday thru Friday during normal business hours.