Bulldogs Battle But Fall to #14 Minnesota State Friday

Postgame Press Conference 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State Bulldogs battled, but fell to the nationally #14-ranked Minnesota State Mavericks 4-1 in Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) action on Friday (Jan. 27) inside Ewigleben Ice Arena.

Minnesota State got in front on the rush at 15:03 when Ondrej Pavel slipped a shot on the breakaway for a 1-0 Maverick lead.

Ferris State evened it up after good in-zone pressure when junior forward Antonio Venuto scored his fifth of the year at the net front for a 1-1 score. Freshman defenseman Travis Shoudy (7) set the play up with a backhand pass towards the far goal post to tee up Venuto. Senior forward Jason Brancheau (7) added an assist on the play.

The Mavericks went back in front at 7:52 of the second period after a net front scramble when Josh Groll punched in a loose puck at the right side of the goal for a 2-1 Maverick lead.

Minutes later, David Silye gave the Mavericks a 3-1 lead on a shot from the high slot at 11:38 of the middle frame. The Bulldogs challenged the call as sophomore goaltender Noah Giesbrecht was run into at the top of the crease, but the goal was upheld upon a lengthy review.

Minnesota State wrapped the scoring on Silye's second of the night at 10:48 of the third period for the 4-1 final from the left wing circle.

Ferris State out-shot Minnesota State 10-5 in the first and 9-8 in the third, but the Mavericks out-shot the Bulldogs 15-5 in the second for a 28-24 final margin.

The Bulldogs went 0-4 on the power play for the night while the Mavericks finished 0-2. 

In goal, Giesbrecht made 24 saves in defeat while Keenan Rancier made 23 for the Mavericks' victory.

The Bulldogs wrap the weekend series Saturday (Jan. 28) with a 6:07 p.m. (ET) puck drop inside Ewigleben Ice Arena.