A day after pulling off the upset in Kalamazoo, the Ferris State Bulldogs (1-3-0, 0-0-0 in CCHA) lost 6-4 to the Western Michigan Broncos (1-1-0, 0-0-0 in NCHC) in the Bulldogs home opener.
Western Michigan started the scoring with a goal by sophomore forward Zach Sharp, outshooting the Bulldogs in the first period 10-5.
Western Michigan scored a minute into the next period by junior forward Zaccharya Wisdom, his first of the season. Minutes later, junior forward William Whitelaw scored his first of the season, bringing the score to 3-0 in favor of the Broncos.
Ferris State’s junior goaltender Noah Rupprecht let in another goal, this one by sophomore forward Zach Nehring. Rupprecht’s night would end after the second period, going 23-29. Sophomore Martin Lundberg would take over the net in the third and stop all 15 shots he faced.
Head coach Brett Riley talked about what he saw from Lundberg.
“I loved him [Lundberg] in the net,” Riley said. “I saw total, complete control. We needed a spark in the game, and he gave us that. So, I’m very proud of him, and you know that opportunity ultimately will earn more opportunities.”
Ferris State got on the scoreboard a little over halfway through the second period, with a goal by senior forward Josh Zary. Seconds after a Bronco goal, senior forward Gavin Best scored his second of the season to make the score 5-2. Western Michigan scored with six seconds left in the period, making it 6-2 in favor of the Broncos.
With four minutes in the third, Best scored his second of the game to bring it to 6-3 Broncos. With just under a minute in the game, junior forward Holden Doell scored his first of the year to bring the score to 6-4, which would be the final score of the game. The Broncos outshot the Bulldogs 41-19.
Riley liked what he saw from his team after putting up four goals on the night.
“I think we were scoring tonight,” Riley said. “We proved it late. Anytime you can put four on the defending national champs, it’s a good day.”
Ferris State will head to Canada to play Simon Fraser University on Friday, October 17, at 3 pm and the United States U-18 team on Saturday, October 18, at 7 pm.