Bulldogs split home opener with St. Lawrence

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

What goes around, comes around.

That's the lesson learned by both St. Lawrence and Ferris State this past weekend, as their series produced a similar storyline, but with a different result.

Playing at home for the first time this season, the Bulldogs took the early lead with 47 seconds left in the opening stanza on a Justin Buzzeo marker.

Despite being a man down to begin the ensuing frame, Ferris State was able find the back of the net, thanks to a goal by forward Justin DeMartino from fellow senior Corey Kane with 1:07 elapsed.

The Saints however would respond two minutes later, as Drew Smolcynski put the puck past netminder Charles Williams to cut the deficit in half.

With less than three minutes until intermission, St. Lawrence knotted the score at two goals apiece on a lamplighter from Brian Ward.

Gunnar Hughes notched his second assist of the contest on Smolcynski's game-winner with 13:36 elapsed, in what would be the only score of the third.

Williams (0-2) stopped 26 shots, compared to Matt Weininger's 24-save performance for the Saints.

Saturday's contest was "Pink in the Rink", where Ferris State players donned pink jerseys in an effort to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for research.

The Saints rushed out to a 1-0 lead midway through the first off a power-play goal from Eric Sweetman.

Just 32 seconds into the following period, Matt Carey made it a 2-0 affair with assists being credited to Jeremy Wick and Greg Carey.

Thompson broke the Bulldogs' scoring drought shortly thereafter while on the man-advantage, before Buzzeo added an even-strength marker with under nine minutes left in the stanza.

A penalty-laden third period from both sides would end-up benefiting Ferris State, as Kane restored their lead off a pass from senior forward Andy Huff.

Freshman Seth Adams and Huff each notched a power-play marker to put the Bulldogs ahead 5-2, before St. Lawerence's Woody Hudson lit the lamp with 1:31 remaining.

Eight players tallied helpers for Ferris State, with senior defenseman Scott Czarnowczan leading the way with two assists to his credit.

Junior goaltender C.J. Motte collected 31 saves to improve to 3-0 as a starter this season.

Ferris State 3, Mercyhurst 2: The Bulldogs bounced back from a 1-0 deficit in Tuesday's game to rattle off three consecutive goals, beginning with sophomore Kenny Babinksi's first of the campaign off a rebound with 4:43 left in the first period. Thompson and DeMartino each found the back of the net 32 seconds apart during the second to give Ferris State a 3-1 lead entering the final period of play. Motte shied away 22 of 24 shots for the win.

The Bulldogs (3-2 overall) are idle this weekend, but will open their inaugural season in the WCHA on November 1-2 with a series against Alabama-Huntsville.

Lakers, Wildcats split Pink in the Rink

By Michael David/LSSU Beat Writer

The Lake Superior State Lakers and Northern Michigan Wildcats split the weekend series, with NMU taking game one 2-1, and LSSU skating to a 6-3 victory on Saturday. The Lakers lead the Cappo Cup series 7 goals to 5. Lake State also celebrated their annual 'Pink In The Rink', and sported pink jerseys to help battle breast cancer.

Friday night, the Lakers beat Northern in just about every statistic except the one that really counnted: the scoreboard. Despite carrying the play throughout the game, and out-shooting the Wildcats 38-19, they dropped the 2-1 decision.

Scott Macaulay netted the first goal of the game for NMU in the first period. That goal stood until the third, when senior captain Fred Cassiani tied the game up for LSSU, with assists going to Domenic Monardo and Andrew Perrault.

Northern netted the game-winner just ten minutes later, when Stephen Vigier's shot found the back of the net. His goal was assisted by Dylan Walchuk and Austin Handley. Kevin Kapalka made 17 saves for Lake State, while Jared Coreau stopped 37 shots for NMU.

The Lakers were 0-3 on the power-play, and the Wildcats were 0-2.

Saturday night, the Lakers would score early and late, to secure the 6-3 win. Struggling to find the net on Friday, Lake State used the extra man to get a leg up on the 'Cats.

The Lakers opened the scoring early in the first on the power-play, when senior defenseman Kyle Haines' shot from the point beat Reid Ellingson. Assists went to sophomore forwards Kellan Lain and Colin Campbell.

LSSU added another power-play goal at 16:20 of the opening period. This time it was Dan Radke finding the net, on a goal assisted by Haines and Monardo. Just 13 seconds later, sophomore forward Kyle Jean made it 3-0, with a goal assted by Campbell and freshman defenseman Kevin Czuczman.

After a scoreless second period, the Lakers started to coast through the third, until the Wildcats made things very interesting.

NMU started it's comeback with a goal by Matt Thurber at 4:16 of the third period. The lone assist went to Austin Handley. The 'Cats made it a one goal game just five minutes later, as Wade Epp found the net with assists going to Justin Florek and Sault native Kory Kaunisto.

The Wildcats completed the comeback, when Kyle Follmer's shot snuck past Kapalka. Follmer's game-tying goal was assisted by Kaunisto.

This is when the Lakers decided to start playing hockey again. Forty seconds after the game was tied, Domenic Monardo snapped a shot under the crossbar to give Lake State back the lead. His goal was assited by Radke.

One minute after Monardo broke the tie, he lit the lamp once more with another slick goal, sending the Taffy Abel into a frenzy. His second goal was assisted by Ben Power and Zach Trotman. Jean would add an empty-netter, his second goal of the game assisted by Monardo, to secure the Laker win.

In net, Kapalka made a season high 44 saves for LSSU. NMU netminder Reid Ellingson made nine save in the first period, before being pulled. Coreau made 18 saves in the second and third periods, and took the loss. Lake State ended up 2-4 with the extra man, while the 'Cats were held 0-4.

The Lakers (11-7-2/7-6-1-1 CCHA) moved into fourth place in the CCHA, with NMU (8-7-3/5-6-3-2 CCHA) are only three points behind.

LSSU is off until after Christmas, when they play in a tournament hosted by Vermont December 29th and 30th.