The Bulldogs topped the Wolverines at the Ewigleben Ice Arena in a shootout win on Oct. 29. The official score of the match was registered as a 2-2 overtime tie, with a shootout win.
Ferris held a 2-0 advantage in the third period thanks to a power-play goal scored just past the midway point of the third period by senior defenseman and captain Zach Redmond.
The Wolverines returned to full strength seeking vengeance and scored their first goal to make the game 2-1 a minute later. With only 12 seconds left in the third period, the Wolverines managed to claim redemption after stagnant play throughout the game and scored the equalizing goal, sending the game into overtime leaving the ice arena in utter disbelief.
Overtime consisted of several exchanges of the puck, but either team registered many shots. Michigan outshot the Bulldogs 4-1 in overtime play and outshot the Bulldogs overall 30-28.
“They’re a good team, everybody knows that,” said Redmond. “You’ve got to show up for them and come in knowing you’re at war.”
The shootout began with Redmond scoring the initial goal of the shootout. The Bulldogs went on to miss their next two attempts. Junior defenseman Chan Billins closed the shootout for the Bulldogs. Senior goaltender Pat Nagle denied every shot the Wolverine players took on him during the shootout and helped lift the Bulldogs to their shootout win.
“Although I was glad we won in the shootout, I was disappointed that it ended up going into a shootout,” said coach Bob Daniels. “We held a lead late into the game and I would have liked to have won the game outright.”
In the second game of the home and home series, the Bulldogs travelled to Ann Arbor Oct. 30 to test the Wolverines on their home ice. The Bulldogs made a convincing comeback in the second period scoring 2 goals after being down 2-0.
Sophomore left wing Kyle Bonis cut the deficit to 2-1 off of his goal early in the second period. Though after Bonis’ goal, the Wolverines earned a goal by surprise.
Carl Hagelin shot and scored their third goal but not without the help of some luck. The shot missed the goal and instead hit junior defenseman Brett Wysopal’s back leg in front of the Bulldogs goal, catching Nagle off guard and putting the Wolverines ahead of the Bulldogs 3-1.
Ferris continued to pressure the Wolverines despite the setback, forcing another puck past their goaltender. The goal was freshman right wing Andy Huffs’ first collegiate goal. But as time dwindled, the Bulldogs could not pull off a win in Ann Arbor. Ferris has not won in Ann Arbor since the 2005-06 season.
The third period consisted of no goals scored. The Wolverines held a 26-24 shots on goal edge in the game. The Bulldogs are now 4-3-1 overall and 1-2-1-1 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.
Next the Bulldogs will be facing No. 1 nationally ranked Miami University (Ohio) Nov. 5-6 at Ferris’ Ewigleben Ice Arena. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. for both games.
“In order to be successful against Miami it is going to take a total team effort,” said Daniels. “Miami will be the best team we will have faced up to this point of the season.” n