Ferris State Hockey Suffers 4-1 Home Setback Against Augustana

Postgame Highlights 
Postgame Interview - Coach Daniels 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team split its season series against Augustana after a 4-1 loss at the hands of the Vikings Saturday (Nov. 23) in Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) play at the Ewigleben Ice Arena.

The Bulldogs (4-10-2, 3-7 CCHA) entered Saturday's game on a two-game win streak that included a 5-2 triumph over Augustana the night before. In Saturday's game, FSU managed to tack on a late goal courtesy of Gavin Best, but ultimately suffered its first ever loss to Augustana.

Neither team scored in the first period of play. FSU goaltender Noah West was a perfect 10-10 at that point and Augustana's goalie, Josh Kotai, made nine saves.

Colton Friesen scored the game's first goal at 5:43 in the second with a power play strike for his third goal this year. Joey DelGreco and Hayden Hennen tallied assists. Then, at 7:50, Nace Langus scored his first collegiate goal on an unassisted breakaway goal, giving the Vikings a 2-0 advantage heading into the second intermission.

Uula Ruikka extended Augustana's lead to 3-0 at 8:43 in period three. DelGreco dished his second assist while Hunter Bischoff collected his second point of the weekend with a helper.

Best scored his third goal of the season with the extra attacker on for Ferris State at 19:00. Kaleb Ergang fired a pass from the corner to Best crashing into the slot where he then snuck a shot five-hole, cutting FSU's deficit to 3-1. Ergang and Cole Burtch both assisted, giving Ergang four and Burtch five this season.

Owen Bohn sealed Augustana's win with an empty-net goal at 19:41. Simon Falk assisted as Augustana finished off its first ever victory against Ferris State.

For the game, Ferris State had 32 shots on goal, was 0-4 on power play tries, failed to kill its lone penalty and won 31 faceoffs. Augustana took 33 shots on goal, converted its power play chance and won 29 faceoffs. 

Individually, Ferris State was led by Tyler Schleppe with four shots on goal. Ergang and Burtch both registered three, and the lone Bulldog penalty went to Nick Nardecchia. Schleppe also blocked two shots.

Augustana got a two-point performance from DelGreco, and Brady Ziemer led the team with five shots on goal. Kotai won his sixth game, making 31-32 saves.

West finished the contest with 29 saves on 32 shots faced. He suffered his ninth loss in 58:46 of action Saturday.

Ferris State will be off next weekend before returning for a road series Dec. 6 and 7 against Northern Michigan. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. (ET) from the Berry Events Center in Marquette on Dec. 6 with pregame coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. (ET).