Bulldogs fall just shy of series sweep

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

In a showcase featuring two of the CCHA's best teams over the weekend, Ferris State finished with a win and a shootout loss against Lake Superior State to nab four of a possible six points.

The No. 11 ranked Lakers controlled the tempo early on in Friday's game, rolling off a 1-0 advantage after the first 20 minutes of play, courtesy of a Nick McParland goal at the 5:33 mark.

Over the next two periods, the No. 8 ranked Bulldogs went on a rampage, scoring five unanswered goals to close out the contest.

Sophomore Cory Kane evened-up the score to begin the middle stanza, finishing off a pass from junior Kyle Bonis that fell just out of reach for LSSU goaltender Kevin Kapalka.

Just over a minute later, Ferris State pulled ahead on the scoreboard while on the penalty kill, thanks to a breakaway goal by senior forward Jordie Johnston that would later turn out to be the game-winner.

Junior forward Travis Ouellette provided the Bulldogs with a bit of breathing room with 6:33 left in the frame to notch his seventh goal of the campaign. Tallying helpers on the play were freshman Nate Milam and Jason Brinkley.

Senior Scott Czarnowczan and Bonis completed the scoring binge for Ferris State by lighting the lamp midway through the third.

Bonis finished the night with a goal and two assists to his credit, and was one of four Bulldogs to finish with a +3 rating.

Senior netminder Taylor Nelson earned his sixth win of the season with a 32 saves effort, while Kapalka had 30 stops at the other end of the ice.

The bulk of the action came during the opening period on Saturday night, as both teams scored within 18 seconds of each other en route to finishing with a 1-1 tie after 60 minutes of play.

With neither squad able to secure a victory in overtime, it took a shootout to decide a winner. The Lakers' Ben Power was the only player to light the lamp, blasting a shot over the shoulder of goaltender C.J. Motte in the first round.

Kapalka was credited with 32 saves, compared to Motte's 16.

Ferris State (9-2-1 overall, 5-2-1 CCHA) ventures west this weekend to Fairbanks, Alaska for a two-game series against the Nanooks, while LSSU (8-3-1 overall, 5-2-1-1 CCHA) hits the road to face Canisius.