Ferris State Falls In Great Lakes Invitational to Michigan State

Detroit, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team fell 5-2 to the Michigan State Spartans to close out their 2019 Great Lakes Invitational trip at the home of the National Hockey League's (NHL) Detroit Red Wings, Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Ferris State senior defenseman Nate Kallen picked up a goal and an assist in the contest.

The Spartans would score the games first four goals. Jerad Rosburg scored at 14:36 of the first period for MSU for a 1-0 lead, followed by Tommy Miller on a shorthanded tally at 16:53 of the opening frame, and Sam Saliba at 19:22 of the opening period. Dennis Cesana capped the run at 5:59 of the second period for MSU and a 4-0 lead.

The Bulldogs got on the board at 15:17 of the middle period when Kallen drove wide down the right wing and centered a pass to sophomore forward Jake Transit, who fired the shot past MSU goaltender John Lethemon to make it 4-1 MSU.

For Michigan State, Patrick Khodorenko capped Spartan scoring at 18:21 of the second period to make it 5-1.

Midway through the third period, Ferris State capitalized on the power play at 11:53 of the final period when senior forward Jason Tackett worked a pass from the low slot back to Kallen who buried his sixth goal of the season in the top left corner. Tacket (7) and freshman defenseman Jake Willets (15) picked up assists on Kallen's goal that cut the Spartan lead to 5-2. 

The Spartans held a 33-23 advantage in shots on goal, but Ferris State managed to hold Michigan State 0-2 on the power play while finishing 1-3 on the day.

The Bulldogs next head to Bemidji State as they re-enter Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) play against the Beavers at the Sanford Center on Friday, Jan. 3 at 8:07 pm ET in Bemidji, Minnesota.