The Ferris State University men’s hockey team fell to the Northern Michigan University Wildcats 6-4 in their first meeting of the season.
Pucks were flying fast and furious in the first period with both teams scoring a combined six goals. Northern got on the scoreboard first during a power-play goal when freshman forward Darien Craighead slipped the puck into Ferris’ net at the 14:23 mark of the first period. The Bulldogs responded and sophomore forward Corey Mackin scored on the subsequent power play.
Northern quickly scored once more in the first and Mackin quickly flinged in a shorthanded goal just over a minute later at 7:03. Redshirt freshman Craig Pefley and senior forward Chad McDonald scored back-to-back goals in the first to put Ferris State up 4-2.
After a flurry of shots in the first period, both teams seemed to settle in defensively though Northern was able to sneak in a goal midway through the second to make it 4-3.
After that, Ferris lost its bite. Following 21 shot attempts in the first two periods, the Bulldogs were only able to manage four in the third. Northern scored on a power play goal by Luke Voltin who faked out Ferris sophomore goalie Darren Smith which resulted in Smith laying on his back and an open net. Northern scored twice in the third (one on a shorthanded breakaway) and Ferris was unable to create any quality shots in desperation closing out the game.
Ferris State head coach Bob Daniels said he was happy with his team in the first period but was frustrated after they went up 4-2 when sloppy play started to lead to turnovers.
“I thought Northern played with a lot more desperation than we did. It was disappointing. I thought we showed a team that hadn’t had a two goal lead this year, hadn’t had a lead and we didn’t play well with them.”
Ferris State now falls to 0-6 on the season. Their next game is Oct. 22 at 7:07 p.m. at Ewigleben Arena in the second game against Northern Michigan (2-3).