Wildcats Win Series Opener

Marquette, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team dropped a 9-2 Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) decision to the Northern Michigan Wildcats Friday (Feb. 17) at the Berry Events Center.

Ferris State made a second period push after scoring, but the Wildcats used short goal scoring runs to capitalize and take the contest.

Northern Michigan built a 4-0 first period lead to pull in front of the Bulldogs. They scored at 6:06 on a deflection (Simon Kjellburg) for an early 1-0 lead. The Wildcats scored back-to-back shorthanded goals at 11:36 (Artem Shlaine) and 12:28 (Connor Eddy) for a 3-0 edge. Tanner Vescio wrapped the scoring at 18:46 of the first on a point shot through traffic for the 4-0 margin.

In the second period, Ferris State got on the board at 4:56 when senior forward Dallas Tulik (3) hit freshman forward Connor McGrath on a stretch pass up the middle for a breakaway where he buried a backhand shot five-hole for his seventh goal of the year to make it a 4-1 game.

Ferris State opened the period with a 9-3 shots advantage and seemed to be tilting the ice until Joey Larson scored at 13:18 on a tip and 13:26 on the rush for a 6-1 lead through 40 minutes.

In the third period, Ferris State had a strong in-zone possession ended when Vincent de Mey cut down a blue line pass and sprinted in for a breakaway goal at 4:11, giving NMU a 7-1 lead.

Moments later, Ferris State scored again when junior forward Jacob Dirks got loose in the high slot and went blocker high on NMU goalie Beni Halasz for the 7-2 score on his second goal of the season, coming at 6:50 of the third.

The Wildcats got back-to-back five-on-three power plays and scored on both late in the third. Andre Ghantous made it 8-2 at 11:01 and Rylan Van Unen capped the scoring at 12:44 for the 9-2 final.

On the penalty kill, Ferris State killed both of Northern Michigan's five-on-four power plays, but allowed the two five-on-three goals as NMU finished 2-4 on the night. Ferris State went 0-4 on the man advantage.

The Wildcats won the shots battle 37-25. In goal, Ferris State sophomore goaltender Noah Giesbrecht made 28 saves in defeat. Halasz picked up the win on 23 stops on the night.

Ferris State aims for the series split Saturday (Feb. 18) at the Berry Events Center at 6:07 p.m. (ET).