Bulldog Hockey Holds On For First Victory Of Season By Beating #9 Minnesota State

Mankato, Minn. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team overcame a late charge by the nationally 9th-ranked Minnesota State Mavericks on Saturday (Oct. 29), but held on for a 4-3 victory as the Bulldogs notched their first official win of the campaign.

Senior forward Gerald Mayhew netted two goals, including the game winner with 1:01 left in regulation, while freshman goaltender Justin Kapelmaster made 28 saves in his first collegiate start for the win.

The Bulldogs got on the board first at 4:22 of the second period when Mayhew ripped a shot past Maverick goaltender Cole Huggins on an odd man rush for a 1-0 lead. Senior defenseman Ryan Lowney earned his third assist of the year on Mayhew's first goal of the game.

Junior forward Andrew Dorantes fired a shot from the slot past Huggins at 5:39 of the second stanza to give Ferris State a 2-0 advantage. Junior forward Tyler Andrew earned his first assist of the year on the goal with senior forward Chad McDonald adding his third helper of the season.

Then, at 19:31 of the second period, sophomore defenseman Ryker Killins took a slap shot that junior forward Mitch Maloney deflected past Huggins on the power play for a 3-0 Bulldog lead.

However, the Mavericks reeled off three-straight goals to even the contest at 3-3.

Alec Vanko scored on a shot from the blue line at 10:05 of the third period to make it 3-1 from Zach Stepan and Clint Lewis.

Next, Michael Huntebrinker scored with an extra attacker at 16:42 of the third period from Marc Michaelis.

MSU's Brad McClure evened the game at 3-3 with his fourth goal of the year at 17:38 of the third period.

Despite the three-goal lead evaporating, the Bulldogs pressed forward and Mayhew dangled wide open in from of the Maverick net before outwaiting Huggins. Mayhew's shot snuck past the goal line to gave Ferris State the late advantage at 4-3.

Kapelmaster fended off a few late drives in the last minute and the Bulldogs came away with their first regulation victory of the season.

Huggins made 18 saves in a losing effort for Minnesota Stat although the Mavericks outshot the Bulldogs 31-22 with a 13-7 MSU advantage in the third period.

Ferris State finished 1-3 on the power play, while the Mavericks went silent at 0-6 on the man advantage.

With the win, Ferris State heads back on the road on Friday, Nov. 4, when the Bulldogs take on the Bowling Green State Falcons in Bowling Green, Ohio. Friday night's puck drop is set for 8:07 pm EST.