Bulldogs Fall In High Octane Season Opener To Miami

Postgame Highlights 
Postgame Press Conference 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team fell 7-4 in non-conference action to the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks to open the 2021-22 season on Saturday, Oct. 2 inside Ewigleben Ice Arena.

Ferris State junior forward Dallas Tulik had a pair of assists to lead the way for the Dawgs in the season opener.

The Bulldogs opened the scoring shorthanded when junior forward Jake Transit picked Miami defenseman Derek Daschke's pocket, sprinted to the front of the goal and tucked his stick backwards between his own legs for the finish at 2:52 of the first period.

Miami answered moments later on the same power play when Ryan Savage tied the game at 1-1 in the right face off circle at 3:10 of the first period.

On a breakaway at 10:57 of the second period, Ferris State sophomore forward Antonio Venuto was hauled down from behind. Venuto was awarded a penalty shot and cashed in for his first goal of the year and a 2-1 Bulldog lead. Venuto became the first Bulldog to score on a penalty shot since Gerald Mayhew's Broadmoor Trophy Championship-winning goal against Minnesota State on March 19, 2016 inside Van Andel Arena.

The Redhawaks responded quickly at 13:14 of the first when Michael Regush scored on the power play to even the contest back at 2-2.

Ferris State turned on the highlight reel again at 15:37 of the first when Marshall Moise finished a tic-tac-toe rush from the low slot for his first goal of the year. Senior forward Liam MacDougall and Tulik picked up their first assists of the year on the play for a 3-2 Ferris State lead.

At 19:20 of the first period, Ferris State capitalized on the power play when sophomore defenseman Sam Skinner fired his first collegiate goal off the underside of the crossbar for a 4-2 Bulldog lead. Tulik (2) and freshman forward Bradley Marek picked up assists on the play, which was Marek's first collegiate point.

The Redhawks evened the contest with a pair of quick second period goals. Monte Graham notched a goal at 2:34 of the second, followed by Joe Cassetti at 4:08. 

Miami scored the eventual game-winner at 14:04 of the second period when Ryan Savage scored his second of the night. Chase Gresock capped second period scoring at 19:45 on the power play for a 6-4 lead.

The Redhawks picked up an insurance goal at 19:53 when Chase Pletzke scored on the empty net.

Ferris State won the shots on goal battle 30-22, while Miami went 3-6 on the power play. Ferris State finished 1-4 on the man advantage on the night. 

Ferris State sophomore goaltender Logan Stein made 15 saves in the loss while Miami's Ludvig Persson made 26 for the Redhawks.

The Bulldogs return to action at 4:07 pm ET inside Ewigleben Ice Arena on Sunday (Oct. 3) against the Miami Redhawks in non-conference action.