The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team concluded play at the Great Lakes Invitational (GLI) Tournament at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids Friday (Dec. 29). The Bulldogs dropped a 3-2 decision against the University of Alaska in the 3rd place game following their 4-1 loss to Michigan State on Thursday night.

 

Bulldog Hockey Suffers 3-2 Setback Against Alaska at GLI

The Bulldogs battled the Nanooks for the first time since 2019 in what proved to be a highly contested affair for the third-place game at the GLI.  Noah Giesbrecht started in goal for Ferris State and stopped 38-of-41 shots faced.

Luigi Benincasa opened the scoring with his second strike of the season at 8:55 in the first period. Jason Brancheau started a rush to Antonio Venuto, who found Benincasa crashing to the net on the backside and he buried the chance past Pierce Charleson in net for Alaska. Venuto and Brancheau earned their fifth and third assists of the season, respectively.

Alaska answered Benincasa's goal at 12:31 with a tally from Anton Rubtsov with A.J. Macaulay assisting. The Nanooks then took the lead at 18:48 during four-on-four play following roughing after the whistle penalties against Trevor Taulien and Brady Risk. Payton Matsui and Broten Sabo assisted.

Both teams were scoreless in the second period and combined for just 13 shots. To start the third period, the Bulldogs tied the game on a power play goal from Stepan Pokorny. His second goal of the year came on a perfectly placed shot from the right-wing faceoff circle. Zach Faremouth won a faceoff back to Kaleb Ergang, who dished to Brenden MacLaren at the point. MacLaren found Pokorny in the circle and he buried the chance. MacLaren earned his first assist of the year, while Ergang tallied his third helper. 

Alaska got the game-winning goal at 8:00 in the third period from Cade Neilson. He beat Giesbrecht five-hole on a rebound chance, and Chase Dubois assisted. Ferris State pulled Giesbrecht under the 60-second mark but was unable to capitalize with the extra attacker and Alaska emerged victorious 3-2.

For the game, the Bulldogs had 17 shots on goal and Alaska had 41. The Nanooks won 43 faceoffs compared to 23 for Ferris State, and the Bulldogs converted 1-4 power plays while killing all three of their penalties. 

 

Bulldog Hockey Falls in GLI Semifinal Against Michigan State

The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team traveled to Grand Rapids for the Great Lakes Invitational (GLI) and faced the Michigan State Spartans for the second year in a row at the Van Andel Arena on Thursday (Dec. 28), but fell 4-1.

In Thursday's loss, Logan Stein drew the start and stopped 35-39 shots faced. 

Michigan State scored the first four goals of the game, beginning at 7:38 in the first. Jeremey Davidson tallied his first goal of the night from Tiernan Shoudy and Griffin Jurecki. At 14:13, Tanner Kelly gave MSU a 2-0 lead, while Daniel Russell and Nash Nienhuis assisted.

The Spartans added two more goals in the second period, the first coming from Karsen Dorwart at 5:37. Russell collected his second assist of the night and Artyom Levshunov also assisted. Davidson scored his second of the night at 13:40 to give MSU a 4-0 lead.

Travis Shoudy put the Bulldogs on the board at 16:12 in the second period, beating Luca Di Pasquo for his second goal of the season and team-leading 16th point. Tyler Schleppe recorded the helper.

Through two periods, Ferris State had 16 shots on goal compared to 35 for the Spartans. In the third period, the Bulldogs outshot MSU 11-4 as they attempted a late comeback. Ultimately, the Spartans held their lead and emerged with a 4-1 victory.

MSU took 39 shots in the game compared to 27 for Ferris State. Both teams went 0-2 on their power play tries, and MSU won 38 faceoffs while FSU had 32 wins in the circle.

Russell (0-2-2) and Davidson (2-0-2) each had multi-point performances for the Spartans. Di Pasquo stopped 26-27 shots faced and earned his second win of the season. The Bulldogs also blocked 21 shots in the game.

 

Ferris State will be back in action Friday, Jan. 5, to open a CCHA home series against Bemidji State. The Beavers will visit Big Rapids for a 7:07 p.m. (ET) puck drop for the opener at the Ewigleben Ice Arena.