Bulldogs beat, tie Wildcats

By Susannah Nichols/ Northern Michigan Beat Writer

The #6 Ferris State Bulldogs traveled to Marquette this weekend and took on the #19 Northern Michigan Wildcats. The teams skated to a 5-5 tie on Friday with the 'Cats winning the shootout. The Bulldogs won 3-1 on Saturday.

The teams played fairly evenly on Friday (Northern had a slight edge in shots at 31-27), and neither team ever led by more than a goal. Tyler Gron had two goals and two assists for the 'Cats, while Chad Billins had a goal and assist for the Bulldogs.

Neither team converted in overtime, and the 'Cats' Matt Thurber had the lone goal in the shootout.

Reid Ellingson, in net for the 'Cats, finished with 22 saves, while Taylor Nelson had 26 stops for the Bulldogs.

On Saturday night, the teams were even at ten shots apiece in the first period, but Ferris jumped out to a 2-0 lead by the first intermission with goals from Billins and Scott Czarnowczan.

Goalies Jared Coreau and CJ Motte were both perfect in the second period. Heading into the final twenty minutes, Wildcats Reed Seckel capitalized on a power play to bring Northern within a goal. Coreau was pulled with just over a minute left, but the 'Cats managed only a shot before Matthew Kirzinger scored an empty-net goal and sealed the 3-1 victory for the Bulldogs.

Motte had 24 saves for the win; Coreau had 28 saves for the loss.

Northern (12-10-6, 7-9-6-3 CCHA) hits the road again next weekend to take on Bowling Green. Ferris (18-8-4, 12-6-4-1 CCHA) prepares for a home-and-home series with Notre Dame.