Late Ferris State Run Not Enough As Bulldogs Fall In Series Opener To Michigan State

East Lansing, Mich. – The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team scored three goals in the third period, but fell short of completing the comeback in a 5-3 loss to Michigan State University on Friday (Nov. 2) evening inside of Munn Arena.

Freshman Hunter Wendt had two-straight goals for the Bulldogs, which both came off of assists from sophomore forward Coale Norris.

The Spartans got out to an early 4-0 lead, scoring at 6:38 in the first when Zach Osburn scored his second goal of the season to give MSU a 1-0 lead. Then, at 10:55, Mitchell Lewandowski knocked one home, followed by Patrick Khodorenko at 19:24. The Spartans had another goal at 19:59 by Patrick Khodorenko, with less than one second left in the period to make it 4-0.

Ferris State got on the board in the third at 3:34 when Wendt drilled his fourth goal of the season from Norris. Zach Yoder also assisted on the play to cut the deficit to 4-1.

Later on, at 6:24 of the third, Wendt did it again off of another beautiful pass from Norris to get it past MSU goaltender John Lethemon and cut the margin to 4-2. Wendt now leads the team in goals with five on the season. Norris picked up his second assist of the season and Cooper Zech picked up his third.

Michigan State answered back in the third at 18:01 off a power play goal from Patrick Khodorenko. That goal gave the Spartans a 5-2 lead and gave Khodorenko a hat trick on the night.

Ferris State finally finished off all scoring when Jason Tackett scored an unassisted goal at 18:47 in the third to cut Michigan State's lead to 5-3.

Despite a large effort late, the Bulldogs couldn't complete the comeback as the clock ran out.

The Spartans led in shots 30-28, though the margin favored the Bulldogs 22-18 in the final 40 minutes of play.

In goal, Ferris State freshmen goaltender Roni Salmenkangas came in during the first after an injury to junior Justin Kapelmaster. Salemkangas picked up his first loss of the season with 17 saves on the night.

Ferris State heads back to Big Rapids to take on the Spartans in the series finale on Saturday (Nov. 2) evening with puck drop set for 7 p.m. (ET) at Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids as the two teams finish the home and home non-conference series. Limited tickets remain and a sellout is expected. Please call (231) 591-2888 for additional ticket information or visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com.