Bulldogs Topple Falcons To Open Weekend Road Series

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Bowling Green, Ohio - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team got a strong penalty kill and goaltending effort to halt the Bowling Green Falcons 2-1 on Friday (Feb. 3) inside the Slater Family Ice Arena in Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) play.

Ferris State got a dazzling 32-save performance out of sophomore goaltender Noah Giesbrecht, who allowed one goal in the game. On the penalty kill, the Bulldogs killed off all six five-on-four power plays for the Falcons, only relenting on a two-minute five-on-three chance for BGSU.

The Bulldogs jumped out in front immediately after their first penalty kill when senior forward Jason Brancheau potted a rebound at 10:14 of the opening frame for his team-leading ninth goal of the year. Junior defenseman Luke Farthing picked up his third assist of the campaign while junior forward Antonio Venuto earned his fifth for a 1-0 lead.

Early in the second period, Ferris State buried its second of the night at 5:29 when sophomore forward Bradley Marek banked in his sixth goal of the year for a 2-0 Ferris State lead. He was set up on the high-low one timer by freshman forward Tyler Schleppe (4), and fellow freshman forward Caiden Gault added the secondary assist (3) on the play.

Ferris State didn't allow a shot on goal in the third period until the 12:24 mark. The shot came on what was a two-minute, five-on-three power play for the Falcons, and it was BGSU's only goal on the night. Chase Gresock cut the Bulldog lead to 2-1 from the left hash mark.

The Bulldogs killed off a late penalty, during which the Falcons pulled the goalie for a six-on-four advantage. Ferris State managed to see out the game with key late blocks and saves for the 2-1 victory.

On the night, the Bulldogs were narrowly out-shot 33-32. In goal, Christian Stoever made 30 saves in the BGSU defeat while Giesbrecht earned his eighth win of the year on 32 stops.

The Bulldogs pulled within three points on Bemidji State in the CCHA standings in the hunt for the last home ice spot in the league playoffs following the night's results.

Ferris State aims for the series sweep on Saturday (Feb. 4) with puck drop set for 7:07 p.m. (ET) inside the Slater Family Ice Arena.