Bulldogs Force #3 Mavericks To Overtime But Fall In Non-Conference Action

Postgame Highlights 
Postgame Press Conference 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team forced the nationally #3 ranked Minnesota State Mavericks to overtime, but fell 5-4 in non-conference action Friday (Feb. 19) inside Ewigleben Ice Arena.

Ferris State senior fowards Marshall Moise and Coale Norris each had a goal and an assist in the contest for the Bulldogs.

The Mavericks struck first when Ryan Sandelin fired in a one-timer from the right wing circle for an early 1-0 MSU lead.

Late in the first, Norris cashed in, picking up a puck loose in front and lifting it past Minnesota State goaltender Dryden McKay. Norris scored his team-leading eighth of the season to tie the game at 1-1 at 14:25 of the first period on the man advantage. Moise (3) and freshman forward Mitch Deelstra (3) earned helpers on the goal.

22 seconds later, senior forward Liam MacDougall scored backhanded through his legs when McKay slid out of the net to his left. MacDougall's goal was his first of the year. Freshman forward Jacob Dirks earned his first collegiate assist on the play, while sophomore forward Cade Kowalski scored his second goal.

The Bulldogs, in the midst of a major penalty kill and a stacked on five-on-three kill, killed the two-man disadvantage, but the Mavericks scored just as it expired. Jake Jaremko fired the puck off a Bulldog stick and over the shoulder of Ferris State junior goaltender Ron Salmenkangas to even the game at 2-2 at 2:23 of the second period 

The Mavericks capitalized when Brendan Furry scored at 5:49 of the middle frame to take a 3-2 Maverick lead.

Ferris State tied the game at 13:03 of the second period when Norris made a drag play to the front of the goal and fired it off the left goal post. Senior forward Marshall Moise batted a rebound post past McKay for his third goal of the season. Norris (8) and freshman defenseman Ben Schultheis (5) picked up helpers on the play to tie the game at 3-3.

At 16:43 of the second period, the Bulldogs took advantage when junior forward Jake Transit lifted a puck past the defense where junior forward Ethan Stewart slipped it between the legs of McKay to give the Bulldogs a 4-3 lead. Transit (7) and Deelstra (4) earned assists on the goal.

Late in the second period, Nathan Smith tied the game at 4-4 at 19:46 on a move to the front of the goal.

Both teams battled in a scoreless third where the Bulldogs stifled the nation's top power play twice.

In overtime, the Mavericks scored at 4:12 when Reggie Lutz fired a shot inside the left goal post for the 5-4 final.

In goal, Salmenkangas made 36 stops for the Bulldogs. Ferris State chased Minnesota State's McKay who made six stops on ten shots faced. In relief, Ryan Edquist made one save.

Ferris State held the nation's top power play 1-7 and finished 1-1 on the man advantage in the contest.

The Bulldogs will take on the Mavericks in the series finale Saturday (Feb. 20), at Ewigleben Ice Arena with puck drop set for 7:07 pm ET in non-conference action.