Late Surge Lifts Ferris State Hockey Past Lethbridge In Exhibition Action

Big Rapids, Mich. - Redshirt junior goaltender Charles Williams stopped a penalty shot in the final minute to help secure a 4-2 victory for the Ferris State University men's ice hockey team against the University of Lethbridge (Canada) in an exhibition contest at the Ewigleben Ice Arena on Sunday (Oct. 4) afternoon.

Junior forward Chad McDonald led the Bulldogs with two goals while freshman defenseman Ryker Killins had two assists and junior forward Kyle Schempp scored the team's first goal of the campaign against outside competition.

Williams played all 60 minutes in net and finished with 24 saves in the game to earn the win.

The Bulldogs took the lead in the first period when Schempp scored from Killins and junior forward Gerald Mayhew at 10:43 of the opening frame. Killins, who was up in the play, found the captain for a quick strike from in between the circles.

Ferris State extended its lead to 2-0 early in the middle period when McDonald scored his first of the day from Killins and sophomore forward Mitch Maloney.

But, Lethbridge found its way back in the game with two goals in 30 seconds to tie the score at two goals apiece. The first came from forward Ryon Moser while Cassidy Mappin had the second strike.

With the game even in the third period, the Bulldogs took the lead for good when sophomore forward Tyler Andrew scored off a pass from linemate Andrew Dorantes to make it 3-2 in favor of FSU. Freshman forward Corey Mackin picked up the second assist on the goal after starting the play by moving the puck up ice.

Williams preserved the advantage when a penalty shot was awarded to Lethbridge's Mitchell Maxwell after a tripping penalty to Bulldog defenseman Ryan Lowney with just 43 seconds left in the game. Maxwell tried a back-handed shot and was unsuccessful.

On the ensuing face-off, Ferris State got the puck down the ice and McDonald found the empty net for his second tally of the game to finish the win.

The Bulldogs killed all four Lethbridge power play opportunities, but were unsuccessful on their only chance with the man-advantage.

Ferris State had a 40-26 advantage in shots on goal. Lethbridge goaltender Dylan Tait made 36 saves for the Pronghorns in defeat.

The Pronghorns had entered the game coming off a 4-3 exhibition victory over Western Michigan in Kalamazoo on Saturday evening.

FSU drops the puck on the regular season next weekend when the Bulldogs take on Western Michigan in a home-and-home series. The season-opening contest is Friday (Oct. 9) in Kalamazoo at 7 p.m. (ET). The series will then shift to Big Rapids for the Bulldogs' 2015-16 home opener at the Ewigleben Ice Arena on Saturday (Oct. 10) at 7:07 p.m.

Tickets for all regular-season home games are on sale now. Fans can purchase tickets in advance and save thru the Ferris State Athletics Ticket Office located inside the Ewigleben Sports Complex, online at StarTickets.com or by calling 1-800-585-3737. For additional details, please call (231) 591-2888 or visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com.