Ferris State Opens Non-League Weekend Series With Road Triumph Over Mercyhurst

Erie, Pa. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team won its second non-conference contest in a row as the Bulldogs downed the Mercyhurst Lakers 3-2 on Friday (Oct. 20) at the Erie Insurance Arena.

Bulldog sophomore forward Dom Lutz tallied two goals, including the game-winner in a strong effort for the Bulldogs. The victory came in the first game of a six-game road stretch for Ferris State.

It was the Lakers who struck first at 7:33 of the opening period on the power play. Matthew Whittaker scored his first of the season, deflecting a Lester Lancaster shot past Bulldog junior goaltender Darren Smith for a 1-0 Laker lead. Jack Riley also assisted on the goal.

However, senior forward Mitch Maloney continued his hot start for FSU, evening the game at 1-1 at 13:36 of the opening period when he powered a top shelf shot past Laker goaltender Brandon Wildung. Redshirt sophomore forward Craig Pefley and sophomore defenseman Cam Clarke assisted on Maloney's goal.

Lutz scored his first of the night to give FSU a 2-1 lead at 17:04 of the first when junior defenseman Ryker Killins rushed down the right wing wall and powered to the goal. Wildung made the initial stop before Lutz pounded home his first of the year.

Mercyhurst re-tied the contest at 2-2 just 1:31 into the second on a long wrist shot through traffic by Patrick Piacentini. Joseph Duszak earned the assist on the goal.

Ferris State, though, got the the game-winner less than four minutes later when Lutz deflected a shot taken by sophomore defenseman Nate Kallen past Wildung for a 3-2 Bulldog lead. Redshirt sophomore forward Jasen Fernsler earned his first point as a Bulldog with the other assist on Lutz's second goal.

Through 40 minutes, Ferris State had a 33-17 edge in shots on goal, but Mercyhurst outshot Ferris State 13-6 in the third without registering a goal.

A charge at the goal for the Lakers as time expired proved too late as the horn sounded and the officials waved no goal following a review.

For the night, Ferris State went 1-of-3 on the power play with Mercyhurst going 1-of-2. This marks the third consecutive game where the Bulldogs have given up five or less power play attempts against.

In goal, Smith earned the win for Ferris State on 28 stops while Wildung made 36 in the loss for Mercyhurst.

With the win, Ferris State improved to 2-3-0 on the season and gets set to finish the weekend series on Saturday (Oct. 21) at 2:35 p.m. (EST) at the Erie Insurance Arena. Saturday's game will be carried by the Bulldog Sports Network at FerrisStateBulldogs.com.