Bulldogs take two from Colgate

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Just one week into the New Year, No. 17 ranked Ferris State has already crossed-off one resolution from their list - ending their three-game losing streak.

Losers of six of their last eight games heading into the weekend, it was only proper that a win (or two) was in order for the Bulldogs, whom played host to the No. 9 ranked Raiders of the ECAC.

Friday's match-up was anything but a sinch for either squad, which saw four lead changes throughout the game. Ferris State would find themselves down by 1-0 margin seven minutes into the contest, thanks to a power-play marker by Corbin McPherson. Senior forward Jordie Johnston however, would answer back at the 13:49 mark by knocking in a rebound from linemate Matthew Kirzinger.

The Bulldogs grabbed their first lead of the game on another goal by Johnston with 4:42 elapsed, only for Colgate to etch out a pair of goals to take a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes of play.

Forwards Travis Ouellette and Garrett Thompson helped set-up defenseman Aaron Schmidt's game-tying goal at 13:01 in the third, which came on the man-advantage.

With under three minutes in regulation, Johnston notched his first collegiate hat trick with helpers being credited to Chad Billins and T.J. Schlueter.

Kirzinger and Schlueter each finished with a pair of assists.

The Raiders' Eric Mihalik stopped 40 shots, compared to Taylor Nelson's 22.

For all of the dramatics provided in the series opener, Ferris State completed the sweep on Saturday under easier circumstances, pulling away with a 3-1 decision.

Following a scoreless first period, the Bulldogs took control of the game 54 seconds into the middle stanza on Ouellette's eighth goal of the campaign.

Shortly therafter, Colgate evened-up the score on a marker from Austin Smith.

Just before the midway point of the frame, Kirzinger tallied the eventual game-winner by blasting a shot from between the faceoff circles. Both Simon Denis and Thompson were credited with assists on that play.

Down a man to begin the third period, Ferris State's offense was stil able to prosper, as Thomspon scored on a short-handed marker from the blue-line.

Mihalik and Nelson tied one another in the saves department with 27 apiece.

The Bulldogs (13-8-1 overall, 7-6-1-0 CCHA) return to their conference schedule this Friday and Satuday night when they play host to Alaska.