Bulldogs finish runner-up in Mariucci Classic

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

No. 2 ranked Ferris State had their unprecedented 16-game unbeaten streak snapped Saturday night in the finals of the Mariucci Classic by Colgate, following an impressive showing against RPI in the opening round.

This was the Bulldogs' fifth appearance in the Mariucci Classic and first since their third-place finish during the 2010-2011 season.

The red-light ran rampant in Friday's contest, as Ferris State cruised to a 7-2 victory over RPI. Garrett Thompson and Justin Buzzeo gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead in the first before the Engineers responded with under three minutes left in the frame on a goal by Milos Bubela.

Freshman Chad McDonald scored the eventual game-winner with 7:30 elapsed in the middle stanza, followed by a power-play marker from sophomore Matt Robertson to put Ferris State ahead by three.

Just over a minute into the final period, junior defenseman Travis White notched his first collegiate goal, with Sean O' Rourke and Buzzeo providing helpers on the play.

RPI added to their total with a short-handed effort by Mike Zalewski with nine minutes remaining, only to be answered back by Robertson on an empty-netter at the 17-minute mark.

In addition to his pair of goals, Robertson also registered assists on the Bulldogs' first two scores.

Freshman defenseman Ryan Lowney led all players in the plus/minus category with a +4 rating.

Notching his 15th win of the season between the pipes was junior C.J. Motte, who had 32 saves to Scott Liebold's 24.

Ferris State ran into a familiar foe in the tournament final on Saturday in Colgate, whom they previously split with to begin the 2013-2014 season.

In the rubber match, the Raiders were able to hand the Bulldogs just their third loss of the season, scoring two power-play goals en route to a 3-0 victory.

Motte dropped his first game of the season, finishing with 26 stops, while counterpart Charlie Finn shied away 19 shots to secure the shutout.

Ferris State (15-3-3 overall, 10-0-2 WCHA) resumes their conference schedule this weekend, as they play host to Michigan Tech (7-11-6, 5-5-4).

Bulldogs place third in Mariucci Classic

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Ferris State lost 3-2 in the opening round of the Mariucci Classic against Bemidji State, only to skate to a 2-2 tie against host Minnesota the following night.

The Bulldogs found themselves playing catch-up on Friday night, as they went into the third period down by a 2-0 margin. Just 1:44 into the final frame, junior winger Aaron Schmit broke Ferris State's scoring drought with his second marker of the campaign. Earning helpers on the play were linemate Derek Graham and defenseman Scott Czarnowczan.

Over a minute later however, the Beavers' Drew Fisher would respond with the game-winning goal.

With two minutes remaining, junior forward Jordie Johnston narrowed the deficit to one by sneaking the puck past Bemidji State goaltender Dan Bakala.

Bakala racked-up 35 saves, while Taylor Nelson recorded 19.

In the consolation game, the Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the opening frame when sophomore Matthew Kirzinger scored on the power-play with 4:09 elapsed.

Toward the end of the period, Minnesota got on the scoreboard when Jake Hansen knocked-in a rebound on Ferris State netminder Pat Nagle.

Senior defenseman Brett Wysopal restored the Bulldogs' lead at 16:28 in the second by beating the Golden Gophers' Kent Patterson with a wrist shot from the left circle.

On Minnesota's first power-play advantage of the third period, Jay Barriball redirected Hansen's one-timer to even-up the score.

After a scoreless overtime, the game officials decided not to hold a shootout to determine a winner, much to the dismay of all those in attendance.

Nagle held a 32-27 edge in saves over Patterson.

Wysopal was the only Ferris State representative on the six-member Mariucci Classic All-Tournament Team (formerly the Dodge Holiday Classic).

The Bulldogs (9-8-3 overall) will resume their CCHA schedule this weekend with a pair of road games against Bowling Green State.