Despite the motivation of that incentive, Ferris was unable to keep the Michigan Wolverines off of the scoreboard in their first game. The Wolverines scored just 2:40 into play. Michigan continued to hound the puck, drilling the Bulldogs 4-1.
“I was really down; the guys were really down,” Ferris head coach Bob Daniels said. “We were really unhappy with our performance.”
The Buckeyes ran into a buzzsaw on their second night in Oxford (Ohio) against the Miami Redhawks, dropping their contest 4-2. The Ohio State loss allowed Ferris State another chance to earn home ice in the quarterfinal round of the CCHA playoffs the same night.
Yet the Bulldogs were unable to capitalize on their second opportunity, March 2, relinquishing home ice to Ohio State for their upcoming quarterfinal’s playoff series, as they dropped their contest against the University of Michigan at Yost Ice Arena in a shootout after a 1-1 overtime tie.
“We played much better tonight than we did last night,” Daniels said. “We’re in a much better place than we were 24 hours ago as we go into the playoffs.”
Ferris freshman defenseman Zach Dorer found his way onto the score sheet, rifling home his first goal as a Bulldog midway through the second period from the blue line that knuckled past Michigan goaltender Steve Racine.
“We had good offensive pressure, and [Justin] DeMartino was able to get me the puck out at the point,” Dorer said. “I took a shot on net and it got deflected in.”
With the score tied at one goal apiece, the Bulldogs and Wolverines traded blows until regulation ended. Sophomore goaltender CJ Motte made 35 saves on 36 shots, while Racine only allowed a single goal for the second straight night.
As the game advanced to overtime, Daniels began to literally pull out all the stops, pulling Motte with 37 seconds remaining in the overtime session. As an extra attacker, senior center Travis Ouellette had a breakaway chance that was denied by Racine.
“I told the guys on the ice we were going to pull him,” Daniels said. “They wanted it and they nodded their heads; I wouldn’t have done it if they thought I was crazy.”
The Bulldogs would eventually drop the ensuing shootout 1-0, which ended hopes of home ice against Ohio State.
“The rink we’ll play in is much smaller than their normal rink, low ceiling, and I think we’ll be comfortable playing there,” Daniels said.
Ohio State has a similar team to Ferris State in that the goaltenders on each squad have been solid for their respective teams. Ohio State’s senior goaltender, Brady Hjelle, is second in the CCHA in both save percentage and goals allowed average, which is also a testament to the defense that plays in front of him.
“I think it fits us well,” Ferris junior wing Garrett Thompson said. “I think if we go hard in practice the next two weeks, it will really prepare us for what to expect with Ohio State.”