Ferris State rolls past Chargers

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Not only did Ferris State display a great deal of offensive firepower in their weekend sweep over Alabama-Huntsville, but also a great fire within, as the Bulldogs racked-up one of their more penalty-laden series’ to date.

Sophomore winger Travis Ouellette was the star of the show on Friday, accounting for two goals in the first period.

The Chargers’ Joey Koudys cut the deficit in half with 3:23 remaining in the opening frame, but Ferris State would up their lead in the second with goals from forwards Eric Alexander and Todd Pococke.

Just before the end of the stanza, Mac Roy put Alabama-Huntsville back in contention by sneaking the puck past Bulldogs’ goaltender Pat Nagle.

Senior defenseman Scott Wietecha notched his second goal in as many games with a power-play marker at 15:15 in the third. Garnering assists on that play were classmates Zach Redmond and Mike Fillinger.

The Bulldogs accumulated 33 penalty minutes on seven infractions, 15 of which were assessed in the opening period to Nate Hennig for both facemasking and a disqualification.

Clarke Saunders had a busy night between the pipes, finishing with 40 saves. At the other end of the ice, Nagle made 18 stops.

Ferris State displayed an encore in the series finale, cruising to a 5-1 win to take three of four from the Chargers in the season series.

The Bulldogs’ scoring wasn’t the only thing that was hot that night, as their tempers landed them even more time in the sin bin than the previous contest. Ouellette was slapped with a game misconduct in the first period after checking a player from behind, while Alabama-Huntsville’s Jamie Easton was whistled for the same penalty in the ensuing frame.

A Ferris State player would be slapped with a disqualification once again, as Alexander was sent to the lockerroom following a hit from behind with six minutes left in regulation.

Both teams were called for nine penalties apiece, with the Bulldogs earning 40 penalty minutes to their opponent’s 29.

A power-play goal by Tom Durnie put the Chargers ahead with 1:02 remaining in the opening frame, but it would be all Ferris State over the next two periods.

Senior Mike Embach finished with two lamp-lighters and an assist for the Bulldogs, while teammate Aaron Schmit scored the game-winning goal.

Sophomore Matt Kirzinger posted a game-high +4 rating to go along with his three helpers.

Nagle improved to 16-10-4 overall by making 23 stops. Alabama Huntsville’s John Griggs tallied 26 saves in the loss.

In their only meeting this season, the Bulldogs (16-12-4 overall) will wrap-up their home schedule this weekend with a series against Notre Dame.