Ferris State hockey will rematch the Alaska Nanooks with the Bulldogs coming off two overtime games at Bemidji State.
Ferris beat Bemidji State 3-2 in overtime on Friday, Jan. 22 but tied 1-1 on Saturday, Jan. 23. The Dawgs almost got their first sweep of the year until the puck bounced in the net off a Beaver’s leg while he was falling down.
“It was really a flukey goal,” said head coach Bob Daniels. “We got three out of four points this weekend. If we could find a way to sweep we’d really be moving up in the rankings but we’re playing good hockey.”
Ferris will be heading farther north this weekend as they travel to Alaska. Fairbanks has not been good to the Dawgs as they were swept their last two trips there. The Nanooks and Bulldogs went into overtime in both matchups earlier this year.
Senior defender Simon Denis said, “It’s always a different style of game on their Olympic style ice sheet where it’s more spread. We don’t need to change anything, though, because we’re clicking right now.”
Alaska is No. 9 in the WCHA at 5-11-4 but senior center Tyler Morley has played well for them all year. He is third in-conference in points per game with .95. Junior forward Gerald Mayhew of Ferris is sixth in that category with .8.
Mayhew said, “He’s a quick and very skilled player. I have a lot of respect for him. If we get matched up with each other it will be a good battle.”
The Bulldogs have played better hockey since the last matchup when they were in the middle of the conference with a .500 record. Since then, Ferris has gone 6-4-1 averaging over three points per game while not allowing more than three goals.
Senior forward Kenny Babinski said, “The first half of the season wasn’t as we’d hoped or expected. We were doing a lot of things right and some things wrong and stayed at .500. We’re bearing down on more of our scoring chances and doing more things right to come away with those wins.”
Ferris is No. 4 in-conference at 9-7-4, two points behind Michigan Tech for third. The Bulldogs will look to extend their five-game unbeaten streak this weekend in Fairbanks
The puck drops on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5 and 6. at 11:07 p.m.