Bulldogs Stay Level in Standings With Split, Fall at Lake State Saturday

Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team settled for a weekend Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) split, falling 4-1 to the Lake Superior State Lakers on Saturday (Jan. 14) inside Taffy Abel Arena.

Ferris State got a goal for the second consecutive night from junior forward Antonio Venuto in the effort.

The Lakers got on the board first at 5:53 when Jared Kucharek tallied for an early 1-0 lead. Lake Superior State scored two more, at 8:40 of the second (Tritt) and 17:58 (Roy) in the second period for a 3-0 Laker lead headed to the third.

The Bulldogs broke the shutout at 5:26 of the third when Venuto scored his fourth of the year on the power play when senior defenseman Brenden MacLaren ripped a long shot in that Venuto redirected in to cut the Laker lead to 3-1. MacLaren (8) and freshman forward Tyler Schleppe (2) added assists on the play.

Ferris State had good looks after pulling starting net minder Noah Giesbrecht for the extra attacker, but could not get closer as Tritt scored into the empty net at 18:49 for the Lakers for the 4-1 final.

The Bulldogs had a 40-39 shots on goal advantage and got 35 saves out of Giesbrecht in the loss. Ethan Langenegger made 39 saves in Laker victory.

Both teams went 1-3 on the power play on the night.

Ferris State returns home to face off with the Michigan Tech Huskies on Friday and Saturday (Jan. 20-21) at 7:07 p.m. (ET) and 6:07 p.m. (ET), respectively, as the Bulldogs continue to fight for home ice in the CCHA playoffs.

Tickets are on sale now, but a sell out is expected for one if not both nights due to a high volume of traffic inside Ewigleben Ice Arena next weekend. Fans are encouraged to buy online as walk-up tickets may run out. Buy yours today at FerrisStateBulldogs.com/Tickets.