Bulldogs score big in home opener

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Ferris State rounded out their non-conference schedule with an impressive showing last weekend against Mercyhurst, recording a 7-3 win in the first contest, followed by a 3-3 tie to close out the series.

Friday's home opener saw the Bulldogs raise a pair of banners in a special pre-game ceremony to commemorate winning the 2011-2012 CCHA Regular Season Championship and their appearance in the 2012 National Title Game.

Ferris State got up and running in the first period, recording a  pair of goals just before the midway point of the frame, which came courtesy of forward Andy Huff and Kyle Bonis.

At the 12:05 mark, the Lakers' Nick Jones tallied a short-handed marker to cut the deficit in half.

In the ensuing frame, the Bulldogs exploded with an onslaught of five unanswered goals to grab a 7-1 lead heading into the lockerrooms after 40 minutes of play.

Freshman Kenny Babinski recorded the eventual game-winner at 5:32, which was proceeded by senior Travis Ouellette's first goal of the season a mere 13 seconds later.

After Huff and Bonis added their second lamp-lighters of the evening, sophomore Simon Denis closed out the scoring binge by sliding the puck past Mercyhurst goaltender Max Strang with three seconds left.

Charlie Carkin and Kyle Just each added a goal for the Lakers in the final period.

Brandon Anselmini, Jason Binkley, Denis and Ouellette all finished with two assists apiece.

All three netminders saw playing time for Ferris State, with C.J. Motte (10 saves) guarding the crease for the first two periods, while Rob Grannett (six) and Charles Williams (five) split their time over the final 20 minutes.

Strang's 27 saves on 34 attempts were supplemented by back-up Jordan Tibbett's stopping all 14 shots faced.

In the series finale, the Bulldogs found themselves on the opposite end of the spectrum, playing from behind for the entire contest.

Mercyhurst jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first before Ferris State responded a score by Eric Alexander with less than six minutes remaining.

Huff netted his third goal of the series to make it 2-2 just 48 seconds into the second, but it was short-lived as Grant Blakey restored the Lakers' lead a minute later.

Junior Justin DeMartino scored the game-tying goal with 14:05 elapsed in the final period to help the Bulldogs grab three of four points in the series.

Mercyhurst goalie Jimmy Sarjeant finished with 39 saves, compared the Motte's 22.

The Bulldogs (1-1-2 overall) will look to defend their CCHA Regular Season Championship this weekend when they play host to the Alaska Nanooks.