Dawgs Erupt For Win Over Mercyhurst In Exhibiton

Postgame Highlights 
Postgame Comments - Coach Famulak 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team rolled to a 5-1 exhibition victory over the Mercyhurst Lakers on Saturday (Nov. 12) in front of a strong crowd inside Ewigleben Ice Arena.

Ferris State blew past the Lakers on the strength of a four-goal first period for an early 4-0 Bulldog lead, with five different Bulldogs scoring and 13 different Ferris State players registering at least a point.

The Bulldogs scored three goals in the first 4:42 in an early flurry, jumping in front at 1:26 on senior forward Dallas Tulik's goal on the rebound after Mercyhurst goalkeeper Matt Lenz made a highlight reel save. Freshmen forwards Tyler Schleppe and Caiden Gault each picked up assists on Tulik's goal.

Just 64 seconds later, junior forward Stepan Pokorny finished off a triangle passing play for a 2-0 lead, connected to him by junior forward Austin McCarthy and freshman forward Jacob Badal at 2:30 of the first period.

Ferris State tallied again when the puck floated over top of the goal from behind the net and landed nicely for junior forward Antonio Venuto to bang in at 4:42 of the first period for a 3-0 Ferris State lead. Sophomore forward Zach Faremouth and senior forward Cade Kowalski set up Venuto on the play.

To cap first period scoring, junior defenseman Ben Schultheis ripped a shot from the right wing half wall that beat Lenz up high for a 4-0 lead at 13:25 of the opening frame. Sophomore forwards Brad Marek and Nick Nardecchia picked up the assists on the goal.

After a penalty filled and scoreless second period, Ferris State netted its final tally of the night at 5:09 of the third period, when Marek lifted a puck in tight for a 5-0 Bulldog advantage. Senior defenseman Matt Slick and freshman defenseman Andrew Noel each tallied helpers on Marek's goal.

Mercyhurst got on the board at 14:57 off a Bulldog turnover, netted by Tommy Bannister to break the shutout.

Ferris State dressed all three goaltenders on the roster, with sophomore Noah Giesbrecht standing as the goalie of record on 22 saves. Giesbrecht did not allow a goal on the day. Ferris State junior goaltender Logan Stein made two saves in 21:31 of action, and allowed the lone Laker goal. Ferris Staet freshman goaltender Joey Henson stopped two pucks in 3:58 of relief.

The Bulldogs out-shot the Lakers 31-27 and held Mercyhurst 0-6 on the man advantage. Ferris State's five goals all came at five-on-five, while they went 0-3 on the power play.

Ferris State is back at home Friday and Saturday (Nov. 18-19) against Bowling Green in CCHA play with Friday set for at 7:07 p.m. (ET) start and Saturday at 6:07 p.m.