Bulldogs take two from Miami

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Ferris State's unbeaten streak remains alive and well, thanks to a sweep at home this past weekend over No. 10 ranked Miami to kickoff the CCHA schedule.

Friday's match-up came down to the wire, with the No. 17 ranked Bulldogs pulling off a 4-2 deicsion, thanks to a pair of goals in the third period by forwards Jordie Johnston (power-play) and Eric Alexander (empty-net).

A junior, Alexander was a factor earlier in the game, scoring with the man-advantage to give Ferris State a 1-0 lead less than four minutes in. The play began with defenseman Scott Czarnowczan passing up ice to fellow blue-liner Chad Billins in the neutral zone. From there, Billins fed to puck to Alexander, who beat Redhawks' goaltender Cody Reichard from the top of the circle.

At the 17:21 mark, Miami countered with a goal by Trent Vogelhuber to even the score after the opening period.

The Bulldogs reclaimed the lead with 3:25 elapsed in the middle stanza, as freshman T.J. Schlueter banged one in from just outside the crease. Earning helpers on that play were Schlueter's linemates, Travis Ouellette and Alexander.

Just over three minutes later, the Redhawks were able to rebound thanks to a shot by Austin Czarnik that fell just out of the reach of Ferris State netminder Taylor Nelson.

The Bulldogs went 2-5 while on the man-advantage in addition to killing off all five of Miami's power-play opportunities.

Nelson tallied 26 saves, 12 of which came in the third period alone. At the other end of the ice, Reichard finished with 21 stops.

In a game marred by penalties from both sides, Ferris State finished off the series with a sweep on Saturday night, thanks to a pair of power-play goals.

Ouellette blasted a shot between the circles midway through the second period to break the scoring deadlock and garner his sixth marker of the campaign.

The Bulldogs were able to add an insurance goal with 1:33 remaining, which came off a tipped shot in front of the net by Cory Kane.

Billins registered two assists, while freshman goaltender C.J. Motte stopped 27 shots to pick-up his second shutout of the season.

Ferris State (6-0-0 overall, 2-0-0-0 CCHA) hits the road for a two-game series against top-ranked Michigan (4-1-1 overall, 0-1-1-1 CCHA) this Thursday and Friday evening.