Schempp's OT Winner Gives Ferris State 3-2 Win Over UAA

Big Rapids, Mich. — Kyle Schempp's overtime power play goal gave the Ferris State Bulldogs (5-4-2, 4-3-0 WCHA) a 3-2 win over the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves (5-3-1, 2-2-1 WCHA) in Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) play at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday (Nov. 13) night in the opener of a two-game weekend series.

The overtime winner was the third power play tally of the game for the Bulldogs, as earlier goals were scored by freshman forward Corey Mackin and senior defenseman Simon Denis. Mackin finished the night with a goal and two assists, while junior forward Gerald Mayhew picked up two helpers of his own.

Ferris State's freshman goaltender Darren Smith made 18 saves to pick up his fourth win on the season.

Early on in the first period with the game still scoreless, two penalties were whistled to Anchorage's Austin Sevalrud and Dylan Hubbs on the same play and FSU found themselves on a 5-on-3 power play for two full minutes. The Bulldogs wasted no time converting on the opportunity as Mackin found the back of the net on a one-timer with assists from junior forwards Mayhew and Chad McDonald to take a 1-0 advantage.

Ferris State carried that one-goal lead into the second period, but the Seawolves evened the game at 1-1 on a goal by Anthony Conti at 14:47 of the middle frame.

The Bulldogs didn't take long to strike back however, as Denis put home his second goal of the season on the power play just 3:10 later. After an initial shot by Schempp, Denis grabbed the rebound behind the net and threw it out in front. The goal was initially disallowed on the ice, but the call was changed after an official review. Schempp and Mackin were credited with assists on the goal.

At 5:06 the third period, UAA's Nicolas Erb-Ekholm was assessed a five-minute major penalty for checking from behind, along with a new misconduct.

On the ensuing Ferris State power play, Jarrett Brown scored a shorthanded goal for the Seawolves that once again evened the game at 2-2.

Late in the game, penalties were whistled to both teams, but neither were able to score in regulation and the contest headed to overtime.

But after a penalty to Conti at 2:21 of the extra frame, Schempp found the back of the net for the fourth time this season, with help from Mayhew and Mackin.

Ferris State scored all three of its goals on the power play, finishing the night 3-for-8 with the man-advantage. The Bulldogs also killed off all of UAA's chances with the extra attacker, holding the Seawolves 0-for-4 on their power play.

Alaska Anchorage net minder Olivier Mantha made 20 saves in defeat, as FSU outshot the Seawolves 23-20 in the contest.

The two teams will meet once again in Anchorage on Saturday night to finish their season series. Game time is scheduled for 11:07 p.m. EST.

Ferris State will return home next weekend on Nov. 20-21 to face the University of Alaska-Fairbanks in a two-game series at Ewigleben Ice Arena. Both games are scheduled to start at 7:07 p.m.

* Photo Credit: Adam Eberhardt