Ferris State Hockey Falls 4-2 to Lake State as Itagaki Scores First Goal as a Bulldog

Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. – Junior forward Max Itagaki scored for the first time as a Bulldog in Ferris State Univeristy's 4-2 loss to Lake Superior State University Friday (Nov. 15) at the Taffy Abel Ice Arena in Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) action.

The Bulldogs (2-9-2, 1-6-0 CCHA) are still in search of their first road win in conference play this year, with an opportunity to get it Saturday (Nov. 16) against Lake State at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City. 

In Friday's defeat, Itagaki and junior forward Tyler Schleppe each scored their first goals this year, while Noah West started between the pipes for Ferris State, taking the loss with 21 saves.

LSSU got off to a fast start, putting the first goal of the night on the board just 58 seconds into regulation. Reagan Milburn scored his third of the year with Jordan Venegoni and Bryan Huggins assisting.

The Lakers (4-5-0, 3-0-0 CCHA) scored again with a power play conversion at 3:49 from Johnny Druskinis. Connor Milburn and Dawson Tritt assisted, giving Lake State an early 2-0 lead.

While FSU fell behind early, they battled back and managed to tie the game. Itagaki scored Ferris State's first goal of the night with one second remaining in the first period. He was penalized at 17:48 for tripping, and after the Bulldogs killed that penalty off, he hopped out of the box and had a breakaway opportunity. Xavier Jean-Louis tipped a Laker pass in the Bulldog zone to Gavin Best, who found Itagaki fresh out of the box up the ice. He put a great shot past LSSU's netminder, Rorke Applebee, bringing the Bulldogs within one goal. His first of the year came on Best's third assist and Jean-Louis's first helper this season.

The Bulldogs then tied things up early in period two, courtesy of Schleppe's first scoring strike. Schleppe took a pass from Matt Corbet and fired a strong shot into the top left corner, tying the game at two goals apiece. Corbet collected his third assist on the game-tying goal.

LSSU reclaimed the lead with 2:29 to go in the period. Cater Batchelder circled behind the FSU net and stuffed a shot past West at the post. Reagan Milburn and Adam Barone collected assists on Batchelder's goal that sent Lake State into the second intermission up 3-2.

The Lakers scored the game's final goal at 7:13 in the third. Tritt tallied his fourth goal of the year for LSSU's fourth goal of the night, with assists for Sasha Teleguine and John Herrington.

West was pulled at 16:21 for the extra attacker, and Ferris State fired seven shots on target as they tried to mount a comeback. Applebee made all seven stops, and Nate Schweitzer blocked a shot to preserve LSSU's victory.

For the game, Ferris State set a season-high with 44 shots on goal and held Lake State to only 25. The Bulldogs won 30 faceoffs compared to 35 for the Lakers, and both teams had two power play opportunities with LSSU converting once.

Corbet led Ferris State with six shots on goal and was followed closely by Logan Heroux and Travis Shoudy, who each had five. Heroux also blocked a crucial shot with the net empty late in the game.

Nico DeVita had two blocked shots and Zach Faremouth paced FSU with 13 faceoff wins. DeVita, Jean-Louis and Best each finished the game +1.

West finished his night stopping 21-25 shots, good for an .840 save percentage. Applebee picked up a win with 43 saves on 45 shots faced (.956). The Lakers got multiple points from Tritt (1-1-2) and Reagan Milburn (1-1-2) while Connor Milburn had a game-high 14 faceoff wins.

Ferris State will look to end its skid Saturday (Nov. 16) in the Superior Ice Showdown against Lake Superior State in Traverse City in the first collegiate hockey game played at Centre Ice Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:07 p.m. (ET) with pregame coverage beginning on Sunny 97.3 FM at 5:30 p.m. (ET).