Ferris State Plays To 1-1 Tie With Bemidji State Saturday

Bemidji, Minn. — Another even affair in Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) play between the Ferris State Bulldogs (11-9-6, 9-7-4 WCHA) and the Bemidji State Beavers (10-10-5, 7-9-4 WCHA) ended in a 1-1 tie Saturday (Jan 23) night at the Sanford Center.

Sophomore forward Andrew Mayer scored the lone goal for FSU in the draw at 3:57 of the third period while freshman goaltender Darren Smith made 35 saves to pace the Bulldogs.

Neither team scored in both the first and second period and the game remained deadlocked at 0-0 as the team's stepped on the ice for the third frame.

Mayer opened the scoring when freshman forward Jake Hetz found him open in front of the net. The Troy, Mich. native used a head of steam to step into a shot that beat Bemidji State goaltender Michael Bitzer over the blocker.

Credited with the only assist on the goal, Hetz picked up his first career helper in his 14th career game.

The Beavers got back in the game later in the final period, tying the game at 14:12 on a goal by Charlie O'Connor.

FSU outshot Bemidji State 2-1 in the extra five minute frame, but neither team was able to find a winner. The Beavers had 36 total shots in the game, while Ferris State had 30.

Bitzer finished with 29 stops for BSU, earning the tie in his second game of action on the weekend.

Both teams also went scoreless on the man-advantage, with the Bulldogs earning two chances to three for the Beavers.

With three points on the weekend, Ferris State moves into a tie for third place in the WCHA standings with Michigan Tech.

The Bulldogs have a weekend off before returning to the ice Feb. 5-6 for a two-game series at the University of Alaska. Both games will get underway at 11:07 p.m. EST.

Ferris State returns to Big Rapids to host Northern Michigan in a weekend set Feb. 12-13. Both games are scheduled to begin at 7:07 p.m. EST.