Ferris State Opens WCHA Playoffs With Convincing Game One Victory

Highlights
Coach Cencer Postgame Radio

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey squad opened postseason action with an impressive 3-1 victory on the road over Bemidji State in the first round of the WCHA Playoffs on Friday (March 13) night at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minn.

The fifth-seeded Bulldogs scored three goals in the opening two periods of action and held on down the stretch to win game one of the best-of-three league postseason series. Game two is set for Saturday  (March 14) evening as the Bulldogs attempt to close out the Beavers starting at 8:07 p.m.

Ferris State freshman Zach Szajner put the Bulldogs on the board first as he scored his second goal in the last week only 11:04 into the contest. His opening goal was assisted by fellow freshmen Andrew Mayer and Mitch Maloney, who both picked up their fourth assists, as the all-rookie line gave the Bulldogs the initial advantage.

FSU pushed the advantage to 2-0 at the 15:07 mark of the second period when sophomore defenseman Ryan Lowney notched his second goal this season off assists from freshman forward Andrew Dorantes and sophomore forward Gerald Mayhew. Dorantes recorded his third helper with Mayhew picking up his 12th assist.

Ferris State tacked on another goal at 17:29 of the second when Mayhew tallied his second point of the night and 11th goal of the campaign off an assist from senior forward Dom Panetta. It was Panetta's fifth assist of the year.

Bemidji State finally got on the board at 13:24 of the third as Gerry Fitzgerland picked up his seventh goal of the year to cut the FSU advantage to 3-1 overall. Leo Fitzgerald recorded his eighth assist with Nate Arentz totaling his 11th helper of the year.

The Bulldogs, though, held steady the rest of the way and tacked on a late goal from junior Kenny Babinski with a little more than two minutes to play. His seventh goal this season was aided by senior forward Justin Buzzeo and sophomore forward Chad McDonald as duo registered their 13th and 10th assists of the year, respectively.

Ferris State was outshot 22-19 for the night, but held a 9-5 edge in the middle period when FSU scored a pair of goals. The Bulldogs went 0-of-3 on the power play with BSU going 1-of-3 for the evening. Both teams were called for three penalties totaling six minutes overall.

FSU senior goaltender CJ Motte picked up the Bulldog victory in net with 21 saves, including nine in the first period followed by five in the second and seven in the third. Meanwhile, freshman Michael Bitzer made 15 saves in the setback for Bemidji State as he made two saves in period one with seven in the second and six in the third.

The win was the Bulldogs third-straight triumph this season as FSU improved to 17-19-2 overall. BSU fell to 16-16-5 overall.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday night with game three set for Sunday, if necessary, at 6:07 p.m. (ET). All the action can be viewed live at WCHA.tv or listen online at FerrisStateBulldogs.com.

The winner of the WCHA first round series will advance to the WCHA Final Five set for March 20-21 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.