Miami sweeps FSU for CCHA lead

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

In their weekend series against No. 1 ranked Miami, Ferris State was swept for the second time this season, losing 4-0 on Friday before dropping a 5-4 decision the following night.

To add insult to injury, the RedHawks’ dominance also ended a school-record 12-game unbeaten streak by the Bulldogs within the CCHA.

Miami’s offense proved worthy from the start, with Jarod Palmer knocking in a rebound from teammate Vincent LoVerde on Ferris State goaltender Pat Nagle just 7:02 into the contest.

The Bulldogs’ defensive woes carried into the second period, where Miami netted two scores within an eight minute span.

With less than two minutes remaining in the game, the RedHawks sent an extra attacker on the ice, which resulted in a goal by Trent Vogelhuber.

Miami’s Cody Reichard stopped 23 shots en route to his fourth shutout of the season, while Nagle was credited with 34 stops.

Ferris State looked to be on par with Miami the following night, which had both teams scoreless after a one period of play.

The Bulldogs were first to get on the board after a Matt Case goal with 8:54 elapsed in the second. Earning helpers on the play were senior forwards Blair Riley and Casey Haines.

Despite an equalizer by Chris Wideman of Miami 20 seconds later, junior Mike Fillinger restored the lead back to Ferris State’s side at the 9:28 mark.

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, their confidence would be shattered minutes later, as the RedHawks managed to sneak in three goals on netminder Taylor Nelson before the end of the frame.

After allowing four goals on 13 shots in the second, Ferris State head coach Bob Daniels pulled Nelson in favor of Nagle to begin the third. The move proved worthwhile, as Nagle surrendered just one goal to the opposition.

While Nagle remained sharp at one end, the Bulldogs’ offense looked to be turning the corner at the other. With Miami down a skater due to a hooking call, senior Aaron Lewicki fired the puck past Reichard at 14:25 to tally his seventh goal of the campaign.

In the final minute of the game, Nagle was sent to the bench for an extra attacker. The move yielded positive results, as freshman Matthew Kirzinger brought Ferris State to within a goal. Despite their strong efforts, the Bulldogs were unable to muster any scoring chances in the waning moments of the game.

Reichard finished with 29 saves, while Nelson and Nagle combined for 33.

No. 6 ranked Ferris State (16-6-2 CCHA, 10-4-2-2) looks to return to their winning ways this weekend with a home-and-home series against Michigan (13-10-1 overall, 8-7-1-0 CCHA). Puck-drop for both games is tentatively scheduled for 8:05 pm.