Bulldogs Blow Past Griffins In Series Finale

Postgame Highlights 
Coach Daniels Postgame Press Conference 
Giesbrecht Postgame Press Conference 
Pokorny Postgame Press Conference 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team drove home a 4-1 victory over the Canisius Golden Griffins in non-conference action on Saturday (Oct. 15), inside Ewigleben Ice Arena.

A total of 10 different Bulldogs picked up a point while sophomore goaltender Noah Giesbrecht put together a strong 29-save performance for his first victory of the campaign.

The Bulldogs fended off an early major penalty before erupting for a four-goal run to take control of the contest.

Late in the first period, Ferris State cashed in when junior forward Mitch Deelstra ripped a shot off of Canisius goaltender Jacob Barczewski and in on the short side for his first goal of the year at 18:42 for a 1-0 Bulldog edge. Ferris State junior forward Jason Brancheau (3) and sophomore forward Brad Marek (4) earned the assists on the goal.

Early in the second period, the Bulldogs added to their lead when senior forward Dallas Tulik banged in a shot at the left side of the goal, beating Barczewski between the legs for a 2-0 advantage and his second goal of the year. Sophomore forward Nick Nardecchia (2) and freshman forward Connor McGrath (2) picked up the helpers on the goal.

The Bulldogs took advantage of a Canisius turnover when senior defenseman Matt Slick banged the puck out of the zone and hunted it down, eventually ripping in his first goal as a Bulldog at 12:49 of the middle frame, unassisted, for a 3-0 Bulldog margin.

Ferris State capped the scoring run when junior forward Stepan Pokorny finessed his way in on a breakaway. Pokorny snaked his way around the left foot of Barczewski for a highlight-reel goal on his third tally of the year at 18:10 of the second. Senior defenseman Brenden MacLaren (3) and junior forward Jacob Dirks (3) earned assists on the goal for a 4-0 Ferris State advantage.

Canisius broke the shutout at 13:51 of the third when Nick Bowman scored unassisted for the 4-1 final.

In goal, Giesbrecht earned his first win, turning aside 29 of 30 shots on the night for Ferris State, while Barczewski took the loss on 18 saves, leaving after the second period to be relieved by John Hawthorne for Canisius.

The Bulldogs finished 1-3 on the power play and held the Golden Griffins 0-5 including a five-minute major kill to open the contest. Ferris State was narrowly out-shot, 30-26 by Canisius.

Ferris State has a scheduled off week from competition, but returns to action against the St. Thomas Tommies on Friday and Saturday (Oct. 28-29). The Friday night contest is set for 7:07 p.m. (ET) with all league Saturday games at home now scheduled for 6:07 p.m. (ET) starts.