A seven-hour flight and four-hour time difference caused some headaches for the Bulldogs as they faced the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nov. 18-19 in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Ferris opened the series Nov. 18 with a 2-0 loss to Alaska. The Bulldogs limited their penalties to one against Alaska for the opening night.
“Both games it seemed to me like we were a little bit flat,” Ferris senior goaltender Taylor Nelson said.
In the second game of the series the Bulldogs bounced back for a 3-2 victory against the Nanooks. Ferris improved their conference record to 6-3-1 and are now 10-3-1 overall after the series split.
“It was a big character win for us on Saturday night,” Nelson said. “Anytime you can split up in Alaska is a great weekend.”
The nationally 6th-ranked Bulldogs will now prepare to challenge the 12-ranked Western Michigan Broncos. Ferris State will attempt to stay above the Broncos in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.
Western Michigan is currently fifth in the CCHA while Ferris is sitting in fourth-place. The Broncos are four league points behind the Bulldogs.
Western Michigan will have to score on a nationally 2nd-ranked team defense (U.S. College Hockey Online), that has only allowed an average of 1.64 goals per game, in order to beat the Bulldogs.
According to USCHO, Ferris has two top ten ranked goaltenders to defend the net against Western’s offense.
Nelson has only surrendered more than two goals twice this season. Freshman goaltender CJ Motte has only allowed more than one goal once this season.
Ferris will try to defend their undefeated home ice and attempt to earn their sixth home win against Western Michigan on Dec. 2 in Ewigleben Ice Arena at 7:05.
Ferris will then travel to Kalamazoo Dec. 3 to face the Broncos at home at 7:05.