Bulldogs Settle For Split With Northern Michigan

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team continued their streak of points in every league weekend, but dropped a 5-2 decision to the Northern Michigan Wildcats Saturday (Dec. 10) in Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) play inside Ewigleben Ice Arena, ending their four game win streak.

Ferris State senior defenseman Matt Slick scored for the second straight night for the Bulldogs in the effort.

Northern Michigan got out to an early lead when Andre Ghantous finished off a sixth-chance opportunity after the Wildcats wildly fired pucks in and out of traffic before Ghantous gave them a 1-0 lead at 3:25 of the first period.

Halfway through the second period, Ferris State junior forward took the puck coast-to-coast on his own and shelved his second goal of the year on a highlight reel play at 11:19. Freshman defensemen Andy Noel (2) and Travis Shoudy (4) picked up helpers on the goal to tie the game at 1-1.

The Wildcats went back ahead on a power play breakaway goal by AJ Vanderbeck at 16:49 of the middle frame for a 2-1 NMU lead.

Moments later, the Bulldogs had a goal waved off for high sticking that would have tied the game at 2-2, but the Wildcats stole the momentum and instead went up 3-1 on a rush-goal by Ghantous at 17:36 of the second.

Ferris State came out firing in the third when Slick finished a one-timer from the right face-off circle to cut NMU's lead back to 3-2 with his third goal of the year and second of the weekend. Senior forward Jason Brancheau (5) and defenseman Brenden MacLaren (5) set up the play to make it a one-goal game.

Northern Michigan scored on a major power play at 15:30 when Kristof Papp tallied at 15:30 for a 4-2 lead. Papp iced the game with an empty netter at 18:56 of the third period.

Ferris State junior goalie Logan Stein made 31 saves on 35 shots faced in the loss, while NMU's Beni Halasz picked up the win on 26 saves for the Wildcats. Northern Michigan had a 36-28 advantage in shots on goal and went 3-6 on the power play while Ferris State finished 1-7.

The Bulldogs head west for their final Minnesota trip of the regular season where they face off with the St. Thomas Tommies on Friday and Saturday (Dec. 16-17) inside St. Thomas Arena. Friday's game is set for 8:07 pm ET with Saturday set for 7:07 pm.