Bulldogs Suffer Setback To No. 7 Harvard In Mariucci Classic Opener

Minneapolis, Minn. — Ferris State (8-9-4, 7-7-2 WCHA) men's ice hockey fell to the No. 7 Harvard Crimson (7-1-3, 4-1-3 ECAC) by a final score of 7-3 in the opening round of the 2016 Mariucci Classic on Friday afternoon at Mariucci Arena. 

Freshmen forwards Jacob Hetz and Trevor Recktenwald had goals in the contest, while junior defenseman Ryan Lowney scored his first tally of the season for the Bulldogs in the setback. 

Harvard took control of the game in the opening period, scoring three goals on 21 shots. Tallies were credited to Lewis Zerter-Gossage, Jimmy Vesey and Jake Horton.

FSU got on the board when Hetz scored for the first time in his Bulldog career, with assists by linemates Recktenwald and Mayer. After Recktenwald got the puck to Mayer low on the left circle, the sophomore forward reached around a defender to set up Hetz. The Pittsburgh native then released on a quick shot to beat Harvard netminder Merrick Madsen.

The Bulldogs came out with momentum in the middle frame and outshot the Crimson 14-5 in the period, but wound up further behind down 5-2 after Harvard goals by Kyle Criscuolo and Devin Triangle.

Recktenwald notched his second tally in his last three games at 10:24 of the period, deflecting a shot by senior defenseman Simon Denis through a net-front screen by Mayer and past Madsen. Mayer received credit for the second assist on the goal, his second point of the afternoon.

In the final period Harvard once again increased its lead on goals by Seb Lloyd and Colin Blackwell, before Lowney's strike was the final score of the game. FSU's third goal of the night came with assists by defenseman Brandon Anselmini and forward Jared VanWormer.

The Bulldogs also outshot Harvard 15-9 in the third, and finished with a 38-35 shots on net advantage for the game.

Madsen made 34 saves and allowed two of the FSU goals to earn the win in between the pipes for the Crimson. Harvard made a goaltending change with 4:35 to go in the game and elected to bring in Peter Traber, who made one save before allowing Lowney's late goal.

Redshirt junior goalie Charles Williams took the loss for Ferris State, making 28 saves in the defeat.

FSU is back in action on Saturday in the consolation game of the Mariucci Classic against University of Connecticut Huskies. The contest will start at 5 p.m. EST and can be heard live on the Voice of the Bulldogs, Sunny 97.3 FM.

Ferris State returns home to face Alabama-Huntsville in two Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) games Jan. 15-16 at Ewigleben Ice Arena. Both games will start at 7:07 p.m.