Bulldogs Battle Back, Fall In Overtime - Home Ice Still Alive

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team battled from behind but fell in overtime 3-2 to the Lake Superior State Lakers on Friday (Feb. 24) at Ewigleben Ice Arena in Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) play.

Lake Superior State got in front at 8:40 of the first period when Harrison Roy tipped in a power play goal for a 1-0 lead.

Ferris State returned fire at the end of a power play at 16:33 of the second period. Ferris State senior defenseman Brenden MacLaren (10) stood out to the right of the Bulldog goal and fired a 150 foot cross ice pass to freshman forward Caiden Gault, who worked on the outside of the left wing circle where he gunned his third goal of the year past LSSU goaltender Ethan Langenegger to tie the game at 1-1.

After killing a full two minutes of five-on-three in the midst of a five minute major, Ferris State came down the ice in a four-on-four possession at 10:40 of the third period, where senior and co-captain Matt Slick slid a low shot past Langenegger for his fourth goal of the year for a 2-1 lead. Sophomore forward Nick Nardecchia (8) and junior forward Stepan Pokorny (15) earned the helpers on the goal.

At 13:44 of the third, the Lakers evened the game on a Jake Willets point-shot through traffic to tie the game at 2-2. 

In overtime, Ferris State had a few strong looks, but a breakaway goal on the second chance for Willets iced the game for the Lakers in the extra session at 3:32.

Ferris State out-shot Lake Superior State 35-29 on the night, and went 1-4 on the power play. The Lakers finished 1-5 but had two full minutes of a five-on-three and two full five minute major power plays.

In goal, Ferris State sophomore goaltender Noah Giesbrecht made 26 saves in the effort. Langenegger made 33 in Laker victory.

The Bulldogs aim to win the season and weekend series Saturday (Feb. 25) at Ewigleben Ice Arena on Senior Night.

Senior night begins at 4:55 pm, with puck drop set for 5:07 pm ET. 15 minutes after the game, the Seniors will be recognized and speak to fans inside the brand new Bulldog Arena in the first ever Senior Recognition Event. The event is open to the public.