Bulldogs Settle For Split With #2 Minnesota State

Postgame Highlights 
Postgame Press Conference 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team settled for a Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) split following a 5-1 loss to the nation's #2 ranked Minnesota State Mavericks Saturday (Nov. 6) inside Ewigleben Ice Arena.

Ferris State junior forward Dallas Tulik scored the lone Bulldog goal in the contest that was competitive until the late stages of the game.

The Bulldogs opened the game by killing off a five-minute major 23 seconds into the contest that gave the Mavericks an early 9-0 lead in shots. The rest of the way, the shots were 24-20 in favor of Minnesota State on the night.

Ferris State opened the scoring when freshman forward Nick Nardecchia was interefered with on a rush. The puck bounced free to Tulik, who lifted the puck past MSU keeper Dryden McKay for a 1-0 Bulldog lead at 3:54 of the middle frame. Nardecchia picked up his first collegiate point, an assist, on the play, while sophomore forward Mitch Deelstra chipped in his second helper of the year.

The Mavericks evened the contest when Cade Borchardt scored on the power play at 9:23 of the second frame on a scramble in front of FSU goaltender Roni Salmenkangas.

Minnesota State would tally 17 seconds apart to go up 3-1, first when Reggie Lutz scored on the power play at 15:38, followed by David Silye at 15:55 in the second frame.

In the third period, Borchardt tipped a point shot from Akito Hirose home for a 4-1 Maverick lead at 11:56. Ondrej Pavel completed the scroing at 18:39 of the third period.

Final shots favored the Mavericks 33-20 on the night. Minnesota State went 2-5 on the power play while Ferris State finished 0-4.

Ferris State freshman forward Bradley Marek continued to eat pucks, blocking four more shots on the night to lead the Bulldogs, who had 20 blocks on the day.

In goal, Ferris State senior goaltender Roni Salmenkangas made 28 saves in the loss. Dryden McKay picked up the win for the Mavericks, making 19 stops for Minnesota State.

The Bulldogs hit the road for the first of a home-and-home with the Michigan State Spartans on Thursday (Nov. 11) at Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing. The Bulldogs return home for a 7:07 p.m. (ET) date with the Spartans on Saturday (Nov. 13).

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Tickets are in short supply as a sell-out for Saturday's game is now imminent. Fans are strongly encouraged to buy before the mid-week, as the game is expected to sell-out in advance of Saturday's contest. Fans can purchase at ferrisstatebulldogs.com/tickets.