Ferris State Hockey Controls Play & Opens Important League Home Series With Victory

Postgame Video Highlights 
Postgame Press Conference 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team skated past the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves with a 2-1 victory on Friday (Feb. 17) night as the two squads opened a pivotal WCHA series inside the Ewigleben Ice Arena.

The Bulldogs outshot the Seawolves 27-3 in the final 40 minutes of play to stifle Alaska-Anchorage. Sophomore forward Trevor Recktenwald netted the game-winning goal for Ferris State in the contest in the second period.

Through 20 minutes of play the contest was even, but Ferris State sophomore forward Corey Mackin scored his career-best 11th goal of the season on the power play from senior forward Chad McDonald (7) and senior defenseman Ryan Lowney (14). 

McDonald took a wrist-shot from the top of the zone on the power play that Mackin tipped past UAA goaltender Olivier Mantha for a 1-0 lead.

UAA's Jarrett Brown evened the contest at 8:46 of the second period, driving down low and roofing a shot past FSU freshman goaltender Justin Kapelmaster to tie the game at a goal apiece. Matt Anholt and Tad Kozun had assists for the Seawolves on Brown's goal.

Recktenwald's goal came during 4-on-4 play. Freshman defenseman Joe Rutkowski wrapped around the back of the net and threaded a pass to freshman forward Taylor Fernandez. Fernandez saw Recktenwald driving towards the net and hit him with a touch pass that Recktenwald slid beneath Mantha for a 2-1 lead.

The goal was Recktenwald's third of the year while Rutkowski earned assist number 16 on the year and Fernandez his third.

Ferris State held the pace of play for the remainder of the game and fended off a stray late bid to tie the game.

Kapelmaster took the win, making 10 saves on 11 shots, while Mantha was tagged with the loss for UAA with 37 saves.

The Bulldogs outshot the Seawolves 39-11 for the game, with the Bulldogs picking up six shots on the power play. Ferris State went 1-6 on the man advantage while Alaska Anchorage went 0-8. 

The win puts Ferris State alone in fifth place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) standings with 35 points.

Ferris State and Alaska Anchorage wrap up the weekend series on Saturday (Feb. 18) at 7:07 p.m. EST as the Bulldogs celebrate senior night at the Ewigleben Ice Arena for their last regular season home game of the 2016-17 season.

Fans are encouraged to arrive early on Saturday and wear RED for the Senior Night ceremony as the Bulldogs honor Ryan Lowney, Gerald Mayhew, Chad McDonald and Jared VanWormer. For tickets, please call (231) 591-2888 or visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com.