Bulldogs top, tie Nebraska-Omaha

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Ferris State earned three points (four CCHA points) in their weekend series against Nebraska-Omaha, giving them their best outing since the Alabama-Huntsville series back in December.

The Bulldogs’ offense had a great outing on Friday night, as seven different skaters scored a goal en route to a 7-1 win.

In the opening period, the Mavericks scored first on a power-play marker by Nick Van Bokern at 4:23, but Ferris State answered back five minutes later when defenseman Scott Wietecha finished off a pass from Zach Redmond and Brendan Connolly (pictured).

Senior Corey Couturier scored the game-winner with his seventh goal of the campaign at 4:11 in the following period.

With a few minutes remaining in the second, winger Justin Menke added an insurance goal, which was an unassisted marker that came while the Bulldogs were shorthanded.

Ferris State padded the stat column in the final period, with goals from Derek Graham, Justin Lewandowski, Mike Embach and Connolly.

Taylor Nelson stopped 30 shots for the Bulldogs, which matched the total of Nebraska-Omaha goaltender Jeremie Dupont.

While the second game in the series had less scoring, it certainly wasn’t lacking in drama.

Once again, the Mavericks were first to light the lamp, with Rich Purslow scoring on the man-advantage just before the end of the opening period.

Just past the midway point of the second, Nebraska-Omaha’s Matt Smith was ejected from the game for checking a player from behind. Ferris State quickly capitalized on the power-play opportunity, as Connolly scored the game-tying goal with help from defensemen Evan Case and Matt Case.

Overtime wasn’t enough to decide the contest, so the only way a winner could be declared was via shootout. This marked the fourth CCHA game that went to a shootout for the Bulldogs, with all the previous ones resulting in losses.

Connolly was first to convert on the shootout, but his goal was answered shortly thereafter by the Mavericks’ John Kemp.

Down to their last player, it was up to Redmond to give the Bulldogs their first shootout win. The assistant captain didn’t disappoint, beating goaltender Jerad Kaufmann with a glove-side shot.

Nelson collected 34 saves and improved to 5-3-4 this season, while Kaufmann stopped 30 shots.

Ferris State (11-11-6, 8-8-4-1 CCHA) competes against Michigan State this weekend in a home-and-home series. Friday’s game will be played at 7:05 p.m. in East Lansing and can be seen on Fox Sports Detroit. The following night, the Bulldogs travel back to Big Rapids to complete the series, with the opening faceoff scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Photo courtesy of FSU Athletics