Bulldogs Carry Pace Late But Fall At Miami

Oxford, Ohio - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team led the way in several key metrics, but ultimately fell 4-1 to the Miami Redhawks on Sunday (Oct. 2) at the Goggin Ice Center in non-conference action.

Ferris State had the shots on goal advantage (31-27), took fewer penalty minutes (40 for Miami, 8 for Ferris State), and dominated the faceoff circle (43-23). 

It was the Redhawks, however, that jumped in front at 3:38 of the opening frame when Jack Olmstead redirected a pass from Hampus Rydquist into the goal for the 1-0 Miami lead.

Miami extended the lead at 12:00 minutes when Matthew Barbolini finished off the same play as the first tally on the opposite side of the crease for a 2-0 advantage.

In the second period, Ferris State cut the Miami lead in half at 10:16 when junior forward Stepan Pokorny buried his first goal of the year from the low slot on a backhander. The goal came on the man advantage to make it 2-1 in favor of Miami. Senior defenseman Brenden MacLaren (2) and junior defenseman Luke Farthing (1) picked up the helpers on the play.

The Redhawks extended the lead after earning a power play on a penalty taken as Pokorny scored - cashing in 1:59 later at 12:15. The Bulldogs blocked the initial shot, but Miami's Joe Cassetti got loose at the top of the crease and shelved a goal for the 3-1 lead.

In the third period, Miami extended the lead to 4-1 when Red Savage scored shorthanded at 1:07 of the final frame.

Despite a strong offensive effort in the third period, Ludvig Persson turned aside 30 Bulldog shots for the win for Miami. Ferris State sophomore goaltender Noah Giesbrecht made 23 saves for the Bulldogs in goal.

The Bulldogs open their home schedule on Friday (Oct. 7) against Michigan Tech followed by a Saturday (Oct. 8) tilt versus Western Michigan in non-league action. Both games are set for 7:07 p.m. (ET) faceoffs at the Ewigleben Ice Arena. Tickets can be purchased online at FerrisStateBulldogs.com/Tickets.