Bulldog Hockey Falls to Minnesota State in Road CCHA Battle

Mankato, Minn. – The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team traveled to Mankato for their first road series of 2024 and faced the Minnesota State University Mavericks Friday (Jan. 12), but suffered a 4-2 setback in Central Collegiate Hockey Association play.

The Bulldogs (6-15-1) fell to 4-10 in CCHA play with the loss. Richter Award Watch List candidate Logan Stein started between the pipes for Ferris State and allowed three goals on 32 shots faced.

Minnesota State (10-8-1) did not record a goal at even strength in their victory, starting with a power play goal at 5:20 in the first period from Josh Groll. Kaden Bohlsen and Luc Wilson assisted. Ferris State was outshot 16-4 and won the faceoff battle 14-9 in the first period.

The Mavericks struck first in the second period as well. Lucas Sowder scored short-handed to give Minnesota State a 2-0 lead at 15:55 with Jordan Power tallying the helper.

Ferris State got its first goal of the game at 19:00 in the second period. Tyler Schleppe forced a turnover in the Maverick end and fired a pass through the crease to Emerson Goode on the backside, who finished the scoring chance. Goode's fourth goal of the season cut the deficit to 2-1, while Schleppe tallied his sixth helper.

The Mavericks also scored first in the third period with another short-handed goal. Jordan Steinmetz intercepted a pass at the blueline and went the length of ice, beating Stein for the Mavericks' third goal of the game.

Jason Brancheau cut the lead back to one goal at 3-2 at 16:49 in the third period with his ninth goal of the year. Antonio Venuto won a puck battle in the Bulldog end and fired a pass into the Maverick side that Brancheau handled. He beat Keenan Rancier to the top right corner and pulled the Bulldogs within one goal. Venuto and Trevor Taulien assisted. With the assist, Venuto extended his point streak to five games.

Ferris State pulled Stein for the extra attacker with less than one minute left. They had a chance in front of the net, but Sowder emerged through traffic with the puck and scored the open netter to seal a 4-2 win for Minnesota State.

For the game, the Mavericks had 33 shots compared to 28 for Ferris State, won the faceoff battle 36-29 and scored two short-handed goals. Both teams took six penalties for 12 minutes with the Mavericks converting 1-4 power play chances and the Bulldogs going 0-4 on the man advantage.

Stein made 29-of-32 saves (.906 save percentage) in the loss. Rancier took the win with a 26-of-28 performance. Brenden MacLaren blocked four shots for Ferris State.

The Bulldogs will be back in action Saturday (Jan. 13) for the regular season series conclusion against the Mavericks. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. (ET) with pregame coverage beginning on Sunny 97.3 FM at 6:30 p.m. (ET).