Ferris State Shocks Huskies To Advance In NCAA Tourney

A furious SCSU comeback fell short Saturday afternoon and the Ferris State Bulldogs topped the Huskies 5-4 in overtime at Xcel Energy Center. The Huskies season ends with a record of 31-9-1.

The Bulldogs struck first early on a goal from Mitch Maloney, his sixth of the season, on a loose puck in front of the net that was poked in with the toe of the sophomore's stick at 2:57 of the opening period.

However, it did not take long for the Huskies to respond, as freshman Jacob Benson scored his fourth goal of the season at 3:13 of the opening period. The Huskies were awarded a power play at 6:58 when Ryker Killins went off for slashing, but could not capitalize on a handful of grade-A chances.

Jacob Benson's holding minor gave Ferris State their first power play at 16:57 of the first period. The Bulldogs had one solid chance on the PP when Killins nearly snuck one past Charlie Lindgren, but the junior netminder was able to pivot without the goal crossing the goal line, which replays upheld.

After the penalty expired, Jared Vanwormer gathered up a loose puck in between the circles and skated in all alone, beating Lindgren stick-side for a 2-1 Ferris State lead after one. Shots on goal favored SCSU 10-9 in the first period.

Ferris State again showed good jump to start the second period and got an early goal from Kenny Babinski, his tenth of the season, who tucked a shot under Lindgren's pad at 1:11 to give the Bulldogs a 3-1 lead.

The Huskies again answered quickly, this time with a Mikey Eyssimont goal on the power play at 4:56 of the second period. Kalle Kossila was credited with an assist after dangling a pair of defenders to gain the Bulldog zone. Ethan Prow was credited with an assist on the goal as well, his 99th career point.

Eyssimont took a boarding penalty for SCSU at 8:26 of the second period to give the Bulldogs their second power play opportunity. Despite a patient power play and a couple of good scoring chances, Ferris State could not break through with the extra skater.

The Bulldogs' leading scorer, junior Gerald Mayhew, scored his team-high 15th goal of the season at 12:01 of the second period to give Ferris a 4-2 lead. Vanwormer slid a puck from his knees behind the net that trickled into the high slot, and right onto the tape of Mayhew.

The second period ended with Ferris State up by a pair of goals despite being outshot by the Huskies 13-9 in the second and 23-18 overall.

SCSU came out on the attack in the third period, peppering Ferris State freshman goalie Darren Smith before drawing a penalty at 4:07, their third PP of the game.

Eyssimont struck again for his second goal of the game, and 14th of the season, at 4:38 on a put-back shot with Smith pulled out of position. The goal was assisted by Joey Benik and Kossila, and fired up what had been a nervous SCSU contingency in the stands of the X.

The Huskies received yet another power play at 6:07, when Killins went to the box for slashing. This time, however, SCSU could not capitalize and FSU held on to the one-goal lead.

Joey Benik ignited the crowd with the game-tying goal at 11:29 of the third period. Jimmy Schuldt fired a pass from the blue line right onto the tape of Jimmy Murray, who's shot didn't have a lot on it. The lack of velocity put the puck right onto Benik's tape, and the senior scored his 23rd goal of the season, followed by a joyous leap into the air.

St. Cloud State continued to dictate the pace of the game but ultimately could not solve Smith and the game went to overtime. The Huskies were outshot by Ferris State 11-10 in the third period, but SCSU still led the category 33-29 after regulation.

It only took 18 seconds of overtime before Jared Vanwormer put home a Mayhew rebound past Lindgren to win the game for Ferris State.