Bulldogs Erupt For Big First Period, Roll Past Seawolves In Anchorage

Anchorage, AK - A goal 11 seconds into the contest and two more in the opening frame for the Ferris State University men's ice hockey team helped the Bulldogs roll to a 4-1 road win over the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves on Friday night (Nov. 29) at the Seawolf Sports Complex in Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) play.

For the Bulldogs, sophomore forwards Jake Transit and Justin Michaelian each picked up a pair of points, as did junior forward Coale Norris, who tallied the game-winning goal. Ferris State redshirt senior Austin Shaw made 28 stops for the victory in goal on a strong performance.

Just 11 seconds into the contest, junior forward Liam MacDougall came down the right wing wall and laced a low backhand shot towards the left goal post that slipped under the glove of UAA goaltender Kristian Stead for a 1-0 Bulldog lead. MacDougall picked up his second tally of the season, while Transit picked up his second assist of the year, with Michaelian picking up his first.

The Bulldogs doubled the lead when Norris picked off a pass at the Bulldog blue line and broke down the left wing, launching a shot inside the left goal post at 10:41 of the first for an unassisted goal. The goal was the fifth of the season for Norris, who took over the team goal-scoring lead on the play.

Before the period was out, Ferris State piled on a third goal when senior defenseman Joe Rutkowski picked off a pass in neutral ice and started a rush from center ice in. Transit picked up a pass down the left wing wall from Rutkowski, and laced a sharp centering pass to Michaelian who tipped it past Stead for his second goal of the season and a 3-0 Bulldog lead. Transit (3) and Rutkowski (8) picked up the assists on the play.

The Seawolves made the goaltending swap, as Stead's night was ended after allowing three goals on eight Ferris State shots, and he was relieved by Kris Carlson.

After a scoreless second frame, the Bulldogs extended the lead as their power play expired at 7:29 of the third period.

Ferris State worked the puck out from below the goal line, when Norris was able to jar it free at the bottom of the right wing circle. Freshman defenseman Connor Fedorek picked up the feed from Norris and worked the puck up high in the zone to Rutkowski, who let go a shot that beat Carlson for a 4-0 Ferris State lead. The goal was Rutowski's second of the season and tenth point of the year. Norris (2) and Fedorek (3) earned assists on Rutkowski's goal.

The Seawolves broke up the shutout late when Zac Masson scored at 16:16 of the third period to cut the FSU lead to 4-1.

Ferris State finished 0-5 on the man advantage, but played with discipline, allowing just three power play chances for Alaska Anchorage, holding UAA 0-3 on the power play. UAA finished with a 29-22 lead in shots on goal.

In goal, Stead took the loss for UAA, making five stops in the first period. Carlson made 13 in relief, allowing one Bulldog goal. Shaw picked up his second win for Ferris State on the night as he held the Seawolves off the board for 56:16 of play.

Ferris State picked up their second WCHA win in three games, and leap-frogged UAA in the standings and sit tied with Lake Superior State, and a pair of wins back of Michigan Tech, Bowling Green and Northern Michigan who are all at 15 points.

The Bulldogs will go for the sweep in Anchorage on Saturday (Nov. 30) at the Seawolf Sports Complex at 9:07 pm ET.