Burtch Scores Twice and Wins it in Overtime as Ferris State Tops Lake State

Postgame Highlights 
Postgame Interview - Coach Daniels 
Postgame Interview - Cole Burtch 
Postgame Interview - Noah West 

Big Rapids, Mich. – With a 3-2 overtime win against the Lake Superior State University Lakers on Friday (Feb. 14), the Ferris State University men's ice hockey team has now won five of its last six games and collected a vital two points for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) standings.

Cole Burtch scored two of the Bulldogs' (11-16-2, 10-11 CCHA) goals for his first multi-goal game, including the overtime game-winning goal, which was his first career game-winning tally. He also extended his point streak to four games.

Noah West made 34 saves in his 11th win of the season.  Caiden Gault tallied an assist in the game and he now has points in four-straight contests.

LSSU got the game's first goal just 91 seconds into play when Brandon Piku finished a rebound chance in front of the net. William Ahlrik won a faceoff and then took a shot that was saved by West, but the rebound bounced straight to Piku. His sixth goal gave LSSU an early 1-0 advantage.

Zach Faremouth tied the game at 4:01 with a power play goal, his third time lighting the lamp this season. Gault passed to Faremouth on the doorstep who looked to pass back side, but instead took the shot and beat LSSU goaltender Rorke Applebee, tying the game. Gault got his seventh assist and 17th point while freshman Christopher Lie collected his second collegiate point with an assist.

FSU took its first lead of the game at 10:14 in period two courtesy of Burtch's sixth goal. Kaleb Ergang forced a turnover at center ice and broke into the zone, working behind the net and firing a pass to Burtch on the doorstep. Burtch took the shot and found the back of the net, giving FSU a 2-1 lead. Ergang recorded his ninth helper on Burtch's goal.

LSSU pulled Applebee for the extra attacker with two minutes remaining, and Reagan Milburn scored the game-tying goal at 19:39. Piku and Jacob Conrad assisted as the Lakers forced overtime.

Burtch won it for the Bulldogs just 1:27 into overtime. He worked below the left-wing circle where Applebee made an aggressive play, saving Burtch's initial shot. Burtch fell to the ice and shot from his stomach, finishing the rebound chance for his first collegiate game-winning goal. Travis Shoudy recorded an assist, giving him points in three straight games.

For the game, Ferris State was perfect on the penalty kill, denying all four LSSU attempts on the power play. FSU converted 1-3 power plays, took 30 shots on goal, won 29 faceoffs and blocked 10 shots. The Lakers had 34 shots on goal, won 36 faceoffs and had 10 blocks.

Individually, Shoudy led the team with five shots while Burtch and Faremouth each had four. Faremouth, Andrew Noel and Trevor Taulien each blocked two shots and Burtch finished the game +2.

The Bulldogs are now tied with Lake Superior State for sixth in the CCHA standings with 29 points apiece. 

Ferris State will conclude its regular season series with Lake Superior State Saturday (Feb. 15) in the Ewigleben Ice Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:07 p.m. (ET) with pregame coverage beginning on Sunny 97.3 FM at 5:40 p.m. (ET). The game will be streamed live on Midco Sports Plus. Fans are encouraged to wear red for the annual Red Out event in support of women's heart health.