Despite being outshot by seven, Ferris State hockey never fell behind once and cruised past Northern Michigan with help from forwards senior Zach Faremouth and junior Caiden Gault’s combined four goals.
The Bulldogs’ (13-18-2, 12-13 in CCHA) 5-1 win over the CCHA-worst Wildcats (5-27-1, 4-20-1 in CCHA) was powered by Faremouth’s three-point night (2-1–3) and Gault’s back-to-back goals in the third period.
Since Jan. 18, Ferris has put together a solid record, posting a 7-3 ledger in their past 10 outings. In his last five outings, Faremouth has notched a point in every game.
Head coach Bob Daniels gave Faremouth credit for what he believed was the most complete game of his season.
“I thought Zach [Faremouth] had maybe his best game of the year,” Daniels said. “He’s been playing well as of late. He hadn’t scored a lot of goals, and all of a sudden he’s scoring goals. I think he’s playing with a ton of confidence.”
Faremouth echoed his coach’s thoughts on him playing with more confidence, adding that he’s playing with a “clear head.”
The second line, made up of Gault, Faremouth and senior forward Kaleb Ergang, creating four of the five Bulldog goals. Gault, a Hobey Baker nominee, credits his mindset among other things for his 21-point season.
“It’s just a mindset and just kind of being myself out there and playing the way that got me here,” Gault said. “My linemates have been helping me out a lot.”
Gault also credited graduate Noah West’s 37-save performance as a key to victory, believing he “stood on his head.”
The Bulldogs struck first over midway through the first period with Faremouth tallying his first of the night. A tip-in goal in the last 11 seconds of the opening frame returned the game to a deadlock.
Ferris then rattled off four unanswered goals between the second and third periods. One more from Faremouth, one from junior defenseman Travis Shoudy and two third-period tallies from Gault gave the Bulldogs a 5-1 win.
Tonight’s victory sets up a chance for them to sweep all four contests against a struggling Northern Michigan team. Tomorrow will be the final regular season home game for both the team and the retiring Daniels. The Bulldogs will drop the puck one last time at home at 6:07 p.m.