Bulldogs Sting #11 Minnesota State With Late Goal, Complete Road Sweep Of Mavericks

Postgame Highlights 

Mankato, Minn. - In the last five minutes, the Ferris State University men's ice hockey team struck the final blow to complete a road sweep of the nation's #11-ranked Minnesota State Mavericks, with a 3-2 Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) win on Saturday (Dec. 3) inside the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato, Minn.

Ferris State got a third consecutive stout goaltending performance, as junior netminder Logan Stein turned aside 37 shots, while Ferris State freshman defensemen Andrew Noel and Travis Shoudy each registered two points in the victory.

It was the Mavericks who came out flying, scoring twice in the opening three minutes to take a quick 2-0 lead. Ryan Sandelin scored on the power play at 1:56 of the opening frame, and tallied 50 seconds later at 2:46 when Adam Eisele extended the lead.

But the Bulldogs battled from behind and evened the score before the first period was out, scoring the game's final three goals.

The scoring run for the Bulldogs started at 17:39 when junior forward Antonio Venuto (1) drew a penalty, and on the delayed call, found senior forward Jason Brancheau on a break down the middle. Brancheau backhanded a breakaway goal past MSU goaltender Keenan Rancier for his fourth goal of the year to cut the Maverick lead to 2-1.

On the ensuing power play for Ferris State, Noel took back to back shots that bounced back to him, and on his third attempt, he ripped a shot for the top right corner and his first collegiate goal at 19:23 on the man advantage to tie the game at 2-2. Senior defenseman Blake Evennou (5) and freshman Shoudy (2) picked up the helpers on the play.

After a scoreless second period, the Bulldogs stole the lead late when junior forward Stepan Pokorny redirected Shoudy's one-timed shot for his fourth goal of the year and a 3-2 lead at 15:12 of the third period. Shoudy (3) and Noel (1) got the assists.

The Bulldogs killed a penalty taken moments later and battoned down the hatches to cement the sweep.

While the Mavericks were credited with a 39-13 shots advantage, the Bulldogs scored on 23 percent of their shots. The Bulldogs finished 1-5 on the man advantage while holding the dangerous Maverick power play 1-6. 

In goal, Stein picked up the win as Ferris State got another strong goaltending performance on the weekend. Rancier took the loss in goal for the Mavericks on 10 saves.

Ferris State became the first team to sweep the Mavericks in Mankato since 2015 with the victory.

The Bulldogs return home to take on the Northern Michigan Wildcats on Friday and Saturday (Dec. 9-10) inside the Ewigleben Ice Arena. For tickets, visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com/Tickets.