Hockey Preview - Week 2 - Ferris State Sets For Home And Home With Western Michigan

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Ferris State opens week two with a road visit to Western Michigan's Lawson Ice Arena in Kalamazoo (Oct. 8) before returning home for a 7:07 pm ET date with the Broncos inside Ewigleben Ice Arena on Saturday (Oct. 9).

Ferris State vs. Western Michigan: Weekend Preview

Coming off a heart-stopping overtime victory over NCHC foe Miami, the Bulldogs draw long-time in-state rival and their closest geographical opponent in the Western Michigan Broncos on Friday and Saturday (Oct. 8-9). Now under the direction of Pat Ferschweiler, the Broncos went on the road and shut down the Ohio State Buckeyes in non-league action 3-1 last weekend as their tune-up. They return all ten of their top-ten scorers from a year ago including the ever dangerous blue line missile launcher that is Ronnie Attard (Philadelphia Flyers). In 25 games, the Broncos had six scorers with more than 18 points a year ago.

Also back is starting keeper Brandon Bussi who missed much of last season with an injury, but put up strong numbers as a freshman, as well as Alex Aslanidis who brings back 613 minutes in goal and a 5-3-1 record from a year ago.

The Bulldogs are off to a balanced start, they scored four goals in each game to open the campaign, and got points from 12 different skaters. 

Sophomore Sam Skinner and freshman Bradley Marek each scored their first collegiate goals, while freshman Kaleb Ergang picked up his first collegiate point. Ferris State sophomore goaltender Logan Stein shined in Saturday's contest, making several highlight reel stops in the second period (12 stops in the period alone) to keep the Bulldogs within a goal of the Redhawks. The win was Stein's first collegiate victory. Dallas Tulik (Kalamazoo native) leads the Bulldogs in scoring (0-3-3) while five Bulldogs have two points each (Liam MacDougall, Bradley Marek, Stepan Pokorny, Jake Transit, Antonio Venuto) in Ferris State's first two games.

Evennou, Marek Earn CCHA Weekly Awards

Junior defenseman Blake Evennou picked up CCHA Defenseman of the Week honors while freshman forward Bradley Marek earned CCHA Rookie of the Week distinction for Ferris State's week one split with the Miami Redhawks. Evennou had one point, but it was a big one. Shorthanded four-on-three in overtime, he deflected a high-low cross ice one-time feed out of harm's way and up the ice to Stepan Pokorny, who skated the length of the ice and fired in the overtime game-winner for the Dawgs. Evennou was a plus one with two shots, while blocking three on the weekend. Marek scored his first collegiate goal, which eventually was the goal required to put the Bulldogs into overtime with the Miami Redhawks. It game with 1:34 remaining in regulation for a late 3-2 Bulldog lead on the power play when he deflected a point shot by Liam MacDougall in. He had two points (1-1-2) in two games, blocked six shots and fired five on goal in his collegiate debut.

Bulldogs By The Numbers

The Bulldogs won the week's shots on goal battle (63-52) against the Miami Redhawks and opened the year above their 2020-21 power play average of 19.3 percent, going 2-9 (22.2 percent) and scoring a goal in each contest for a consistent start to the year. The Bulldogs scored two shorthanded goals to open the weekend (one in each game) scored at even strength multiple times, and scored on a penalty shot. The Bulldogs went for 30 or more shots in each game agains the Redhawks.

This Weekend In Bulldog History

Oct. 8, 2011 - Ferris State sweeps St. Lawrence on the road to open 2011-12 season, with 5-1 win. Kyle Bonis scores twice , Travis Ouellete, Cory Kane, Jordie Johnston also tally in the game.

Oct. 9, 1998 - Kevin Swider's three point night paces the Bulldogs past the Western Michigan Broncos at Lawson Ice Arena.