Bulldogs Battle Back But Fall to Canisius

Postgame Highlights 
Postgame Press Conference 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey squad battled from behind, making it a one-goal game late, but fell 5-3 to the Canisius Golden Griffins on Friday (Oct. 14) inside Ewigleben Ice Arena in non-league action.

Ferris State sophomore forward Bradley Marek and junior forward Jason Brancheau each tallied a pair of points in the contest to pace the Bulldog offensive attack.

The Golden Griffins scored twice early to jump out to a 2-0 lead, first at 9:24 when JD Pogue tallied shorthanded. Dan DiGrande followed it up at 14:50 of the opening frame for his first of the night for Canisius.

Just 28 seconds later, Ferris State got on the board when junior forward Stepan Pokorny netted his second goal of the year at 15:18 at the left side of the Canisius goal on the backhand. Junior defenseman Drew Cooper (2) and junior forward Jacob Dirks (2) picked up the assists on the play.

In the second period, DiGrande took advantage when a puck bounced to him off the end wall, catching Ferris State junior goalie Logan Stein out after attempting to make a stop on the previous chance, making it 3-1 Canisius at 5:46 of the middle frame. 

Ferris State got back on the board and cut back into the Canisius lead at 15:13 when junior defenseman Luke Farthing scored his first goal of the year in four-on-four play, firing a shot five-hole on Canisius goaltender Jacob Barczewski. Farthing was set up on a pass from behind the goal by Brancheau (2) and Marek (2).

In the third period, Nick Bowman gave Canisius their third two-goal lead of the night at 1:29 on a two-on-one chance for a 4-2 CC lead.

Late in the third, Ferris State mounted a charge when Brancheau ripped in a one timer at the left goal post on a set up from behind the net by junior forward Mitch Deelstra (2). The goal was Brancheau's second of the year, while Marek (3) earned the secondary helper on the play.

Canisius iced the contest at 18:23 of the third period when DiGrande scored his third on the empty net after Ferris State pulled the goaltender for the extra attacker.

Ferris State won the shot battle 31-27, the face-off edge 35-26, and took just two penalties, holding Canisius 0-2 on the man advantage in the game. The Bulldogs finished 0-4 on the power play on the night.

In goal, Stein took the loss for Ferris State on 22 stops, while Barczewski made 28 saves in the win for Canisius.

Ferris State and Canisius play again Saturday (Oct. 15) at 7:07 p.m. (ET). Fans can buy a ticket for $30 that also allows entry into Ferris State's football game Saturday afternoon at a 15 percent savings. Visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com/Tickets to purchase tickets online.