Ferris State Hockey Keeps WCHA Postseason Hopes Alive With Senior Night Win

Postgame Highlights 
Postgame Press Conference 
Senior Night Video 

Big Rapids, Mich. – The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team picked up a 5-2 victory on senior night over the Alabama Huntsville Chargers to keep its Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) postseason hopes alive on Saturday (Feb. 23) at the Ewigleben Ice Arena.

Ferris State senior forward Corey Mackin had a three-assist senior night game while fellow senior forward Craig Pefley scored twice to boost the Bulldogs past the Chargers in the home finale.

It was the Chargers that struck first at 12:25 of the first period when Hans Gorowsky spun a shot on goal for a 1-0 UAH lead.

The Bulldogs replied by scoring three-straight, all in the second frame. First, at 6:54 of the second period, sophomore forward Lucas Finner tipped in a shot to tie the game up on his fifth goal of the season from senior defenseman Ryker Killins (3) and sophomore forward Frankie Melton (8).

Midway through the period, Pefley notched his first of the game and fourth of the season at 14:05 when Mackin spun a pass in front that Pefley chipped past UAH netminder Mark Sinclair. Mackin picked up his first of three assists and his 13th of the season on the goal while sophomore forward Coale Norris earned his 10th and first of three in the game as well.

Later, at 17:55, freshman defenseman Cooper Zech finished off a four-on-one rush that he started for his eighth goal of the season from Finner (5), giving FSU a 3-1 edge.

The Chargers cut the Bulldog lead to one on the power play when Christian Rajic deflected in a point shot at 29 seconds of the third period.

Ferris State answered with its own power play goal at 4:12 of the third when junior defenseman Nate Kallen potted his seventh goal of the season from Mackin (14) and Norris (11).

The Bulldogs iced the win with an empty net goal at 19:08 of the third when Mackin passed up the long empty net shot and gave it to Pefley, who netted his fifth of the season and second of the game. Mackin (15) earned his 98th collegiate point on the goal while Norris (12) continued to raise his career high number of assists.

In goal, Ferris State freshman goaltender Roni Salmenkangas made 18 saves in the win and allowed just two goals while Sinclair allowed four for UAH and made 29 stops in the loss.

Ferris State needs five points more than Alabama Huntsville gains next weekend to get into the WCHA playoffs, which includes getting help from around the league. The Bulldogs wrap up the regular season when they open a two-game series at Lake Superior State on Friday (March 1) in Sault Ste. Marie at Taffy Abel Arena.