Both teams took home a shutout in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) weekend series split between the Bulldogs and Bowling Green State University (BGSU).
After a weekend off, the Bulldogs were back on the road for the fourth time in the past five series to continue conference play against the BGSU Falcons. The Falcons, ranked No. 9 in the nation, won the last eight games against the Bulldogs and it has been almost two full calendar years since the last Bulldog win against the Falcons, dating back to Jan. 28, 2017.
During the eight-game skid for the Bulldogs, they have been out-scored by a margin of 34-16.
With the recent return of junior goaltender Justin Kapelmaster after sustaining several injuries, the experience Kapelmaster brings between the pipes was tested again after getting the nod for a second weekend of nationally ranked opponents.
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs forgot their energy in Michigan Friday, Jan. 25, and could not get any offense moving while getting outshot 37-22. Despite the shot difference, the Bulldogs only let up two goals with another strong performance from Kapelmaster. Both Falcons goals came on special teams during power play opportunities, something the Bulldogs have struggled with throughout the season.
Going into Saturday, Jan. 26, Ferris looked for their first win in the past four games and Kapelmaster looked to get his first win after the Friday matchup, sitting at a record of 0-7-0 this season.
It was a complete opposite story as the night before, as the tables turned in the goal category, but the difference in shots would say otherwise. Outshot for the second night in a row by 41-27, Kapelmaster played on his head and stopped all 41 shots that he faced, and recorded his fourth career shutout, as well as his first win of the season.
The Bulldogs had just a handful of shots on net during the first period, but it was not until the final minute of the period where junior forward Craig Peey broke the even score and netted his second goal of the season, the eventual game winning goal. The Bulldogs went on to outshoot the Falcons during the second period but were unable to further the lead, as it was a close one-goal game heading into the final period of regulation.
Quickly into the third, Ferris freshman forward Jake Transit gave the Bulldogs a little bit of breathing room, as he extended the lead to 2-0. With the Falcons pulling their goaltender and chomping at the bit, Ferris freshman forward Hunter Wendt broke a 17-game scoring drought and finalized the score at 3-0.
The Bulldogs are back in action at home 7:07 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, when they face the Lake Superior State Lakers.