Ferris State forward Jordie Johnston (11) battles for possession of the puck during Friday night's home game in Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)BIG RAPIDS - It was a sweet homecoming for Ferris State University as its Bulldogs got off to a solid start and claimed a 4-2 non-conference victory over visiting St. Lawrence in of Ewigleben Ice Arena before a crowd of 1,539.
With Friday's win, Ferris improves to 2-1-0 overall as it gears up for Saturday's second game (of the series) in Big Rapids.
"I think we had two seniors who came out and played particularly well for us," said Ferris head coach Bob Daniels as he spoke of his senior leaders. "Pat Nagle had an outstanding night and the kids have a lot of confidence playing in front of him. And Zach Redmond had a whale of a night.
"On and off the ice you have to have that leadership because they have such a calming influence on the team," Daniels added.
Nagle got the start and delivered as he faced 23 shots and saved 21 to earn the win against the visiting Saints. The Ferris senior netminder had offensive help as Matthew Kirzinger got the scoring started with a score at 2:29 of the first period off an assist from Todd Pococke.
After St. Lawrence evened the score at 1-1 on a goal by Jacob Drewiske, the Bulldogs responded in the second period as Cory Kane scored an even-strength unassisted goal at 6:12 to put Ferris up 2-1.
Nate Hennig scored his second goal of the season assisted by Derek Graham at 2:01 of the third period.
Nick Pitsikoulis scored at 5:15 to pull St. Lawrence to within one goal again at 3-2 as he was assisted by Greg Carey.
Garrett Thompson, however, scored a huge goal to put the Bulldogs back up by two goals, at 4-2, at 14:34.
The Bulldogs were excited to come away with a win after splitting their season-opening series at the University of Alabama-Huntsville.
"After last weekend, with what happened at Alabama-Huntsville, I don't think any of us were really satisfied," Hennig said. "(In game one against St. Lawrence), we came into it and tried to bare down, keep it simple, do what we do best and keep it simple."
Keeping it simple paid off for Ferris, which outshot the Saints just 24-23, in the form of a big home-opening victory.
St. Lawrence drops to 0-1-2 on the season.
Game two of the series begins at 7:05 p.m. in Ewigleben Ice Arena on Saturday night as the Bulldogs go for a sweep.
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