Bulldogs Double-Up #11 Michigan State To Advance to Program's First-Ever GLI Championship Game

Postgame Highlights 
Postgame Press Conference 

Grand Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team dealt the nation's #11-ranked Michigan State Spartans a 4-2 defeat in the 56th Annual Great Lakes Invitational (GLI) semifinals on Tuesday (Dec. 27) inside Van Andel Arena in front of a raucous pro-Bulldog crowd, earning the program's first-ever trip to the GLI Championship game.

The Bulldogs bolted in front 3-0 in the first period and got a sparkling 45-save performance out of sophomore goalkeeper Noah Giesbrecht for the victory.

Just six seconds into Ferris State's first power play, freshman forward Tyler Schleppe got loose in front of the Spartan cage and one-timed a pass from below the goal line past MSU goaltender Dylan St. Cyr at 4:50 of the first for a 1-0 Bulldog lead. The goal was Schleppe's sixth marker of the year while freshman defenseman Andrew Noel (3) and junior forward Stepan Pokorny (7) earned the assists on the goal.

Ferris State extended its lead to 2-0 when senior defenseman Blake Evennou (8) sprang freshman forward Connor McGrath free up the middle, where he finished on the breakaway for his fifth goal on the year at 18:37 of the first period. Ferris State junior forward Mitch Deelstra (3) joined Evennou with a helper on the goal.

The Bulldogs sent the largely pro-Ferris crowd into a frenzy when Deelstra won an offensive zone face-off, was tripped, and while parallel to the ice and falling, ripped a shot top right for his fourth goal of the year and a 3-0 Bulldog lead with 14.9 seconds to play in the opening frame. McGrath (3) chipped in a helper on Deelstra's goal. 

In the second period, Michigan State's Cole Krygier struck twice, shorthanded at 13:35 and in four-on-four at 17:26 to cut Ferris State's lead to 3-2 headed to the third period.

Just past the midway point of the third period, Ferris State drew a penalty and the Bulldog power play again took center stage. Only 11 seconds into the man advantage, Ferris State senior forward Jason Brancheau curled off the left wing wall and beat St. Cyr for his fifth goal of the year and a 4-2 Bulldog advantage. 

Ferris State held off the Spartans from there for its fifth win over a ranked opponent this season, and third-straight dating back to December 2.

In goal, Giesbrecht picked up his team-leading sixth win on 45 stops for Ferris State while St. Cyr made 18 saves in the Michigan State loss.

The Bulldogs went 2-5 on the power play and held the Spartans 0-5. Ferris State also won the face-off battle 36-29 on the night, including a 17-5 domination in the second period.

Ferris State will play nationally 18th-ranked Western Michigan on Wednesday (Dec. 28) at 7:07 p.m. (ET) inside Van Andel Arena for the right to take home their first-ever MacInnes Cup Title and a GLI Banner. 

Tickets are on sale, but going fast for the second day of the Great Lakes Invitational. Fans can CLICK HERE to purchase and support the Bulldogs. Fans should wear red and sit in sections 120-122. Student Tickets are on sale for $16.50 apiece in section 120 using the code BIGRAPIDS to unlock.