Bulldog Hockey Suffers 3-2 Setback Against Alaska at GLI

Postgame Highlights 

Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team concluded play at the Great Lakes Invitational (GLI) Tournament at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids Friday (Dec. 29) and dropped a 3-2 decision against the University of Alaska. 

The Bulldogs battled the Nanooks for the first time since 2019 in what proved to be a highly contested affair for the third-place game at the GLI.  Noah Giesbrecht started in goal for Ferris State and stopped 38-of-41 shots faced.

Luigi Benincasa opened the scoring with his second strike of the season at 8:55 in the first period. Jason Brancheau started a rush to Antonio Venuto, who found Benincasa crashing to the net on the backside and he buried the chance past Pierce Charleson in net for Alaska. Venuto and Brancheau earned their fifth and third assists of the season, respectively.

Alaska answered Benincasa's goal at 12:31 with a tally from Anton Rubtsov with A.J. Macaulay assisting. The Nanooks then took the lead at 18:48 during four-on-four play following roughing after the whistle penalties against Trevor Taulien and Brady Risk. Payton Matsui and Broten Sabo assisted.

Both teams were scoreless in the second period and combined for just 13 shots. To start the third period, the Bulldogs tied the game on a power play goal from Stepan Pokorny. His second goal of the year came on a perfectly placed shot from the right-wing faceoff circle. Zach Faremouth won a faceoff back to Kaleb Ergang, who dished to Brenden MacLaren at the point. MacLaren found Pokorny in the circle and he buried the chance. MacLaren earned his first assist of the year, while Ergang tallied his third helper. 

Alaska got the game-winning goal at 8:00 in the third period from Cade Neilson. He beat Giesbrecht five-hole on a rebound chance, and Chase Dubois assisted. Ferris State pulled Giesbrecht under the 60-second mark but was unable to capitalize with the extra attacker and Alaska emerged victorious 3-2.

For the game, the Bulldogs had 17 shots on goal and Alaska had 41. The Nanooks won 43 faceoffs compared to 23 for Ferris State, and the Bulldogs converted 1-4 power plays while killing all three of their penalties. 

Ferris State will be back in action Friday, Jan. 5, to open a CCHA home series against Bemidji State. The Beavers will visit Big Rapids for a 7:07 p.m. (ET) puck drop for the opener at the Ewigleben Ice Arena.