Bulldog Hockey Splits Opening CCHA Series with Bemidji After 3-0 Loss Saturday

Postgame Highlights 
Postgame Interview - Coach Daniels 
Postgame Interview - Nick Nardecchia 

Big Rapids, Mich. – The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team concluded its first series of Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) play with a 3-0 loss to Bemidji State Saturday (Oct. 26) in the Ewigleben Ice Arena.

The Bulldogs (2-4-2, 1-1-0 CCHA) split the series with the Beavers (2-3-0, 1-1-0) after topping BSU 4-2 Friday (Oct. 25). Mattias Sholl had a dominant 30-save shutout for the Beavers in Saturday's victory.

Bemidji State got out to an early lead with a goal from Kirklan Irey at 9:56 in the first period. Adam Flammang and Isa Parekh assisted, the first point in Parekh's career. 

The Beavers struck twice in the second period, first at 3:59 when Tony Follmer scored his second career goal (both against Ferris State) and first of the year. Irey and Jackson Jutting had the helpers, giving BSU a 2-0 lead. Later, at 17:18, Jere Vaisanen scored his third goal of the series with Follmer and Mitch Wolfe assisting. That was the last goal scored for either squad, sealing Bemidji State's first conference victory of the year.

Noah West drew the start between the pipes for Ferris State, stopping 25 shots throughout the game. Logan Heroux was whistled for two interference penalties, the only FSU penalties of the night, and the Bulldogs killed them both.

For the game, Ferris State had 30 shots on goal, blocked 11 shots, went 0-4 on their power play tries and won 25 faceoffs. Bemidji State had 28 shots on goal, 16 blocked shots, went 0-2 on their power play opportunities and won 33 faceoffs.

Individually, Nico DeVita and Andrew Noel each blocked two shots for the Bulldogs. Xavier Jean-Louis, Nick Nardecchia, Jacob Dirks, Max Itagaki, Zach Faremouth, Jacob Badal and Cole Burtch each registered one blocked shot. Caiden Gault, Badal and Burtch tied for the team lead with four shots on goal apiece.

Follmer and Irey had multi-point performances for the Beavers, each finishing with one goal and one assist. Sholl recorded his first shutout of the year in his first victory. Will Magnuson blocked six shots with Wolfe rejecting four shots and Follmer blocking three.

Ferris State will be back in action for a road CCHA series against the Bowling Green Falcons Friday (Nov. 1) and Saturday (Nov. 2). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. (ET) both nights with pregame coverage beginning on Sunny 97.3 FM at 6:30 p.m. (ET) for both games.