Despite a late offensive push by the Bulldogs, the Bemidji State Beavers outlasted the Dawgs and won 2-1 in the series opener.
The Bulldogs, the Beavers and the Northern Michigan Wildcats are locked in a battle for fourth place in the WCHA, which comes with the promise of home ice advantage in the first round of the conference playoffs. Both Bemidji St. and Northern Michigan won tonight which does not bode well for the Bulldogs, but the race is not yet over.
Throughout much of the first period, the teams exchanged shots but neither squad seemed to hold the edge. That is until BSU’s Cory Ward scored unassisted at the 16:55 mark of the first period to the give the Beavers a 1-0 lead.
Then, in the waning minutes of the second period, Bemidji State’s captain Philip Brewer beat Ferris senior goaltender CJ Motte to the top shelf with the help of his line mate in a 2-on-1 attack for what would prove to be the game-winning goal.
Just as the game seemed to be over, freshman left wing Tyler Andrew refused to say die and scored the first Bulldog goal of the night at the 16:45 mark. A slew of offensive opportunities followed for the Bulldogs, but they weren’t quite able to bury a second goal, and the Beavers won 2-1.
Andrew scored the lone goal for the Bulldogs while sophomore wing Jared VanWormer and junior defenseman Simon Denis each tallied an assist.
Motte, who was looking for his 63rd career win which would become the new Ferris State record, will have to wait for another day to etch his name into the record book, despite accumulating 24 saves on the night.
Motte and the rest of the Dawgs will take a second crack at the Beavers tomorrow at 7:07 p.m. in Ewigleben Arena which will be the last regular season home game, and senior night, for the Bulldogs.