Bulldogs hold off Wildcats for CCHA win

Courtesy of NMU Athletics

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University hockey team was defeated for the third game in a row on Friday (Feb. 8) as Ferris State University edged the Wildcats 3-1 from the Berry Events Center. The Bulldogs scored a goal in each of the first two periods and added an empty net tally late in the third period.

With the loss, NMU falls to 11-13-4 overall and 5-12-4-1 in Central Collegiate Hockey Association play. FSU improves to 14-11-4 overall and
13-9-2-1 in the CCHA.

Freshman forward Ryan Aynsley brought the ‘Cats to within one (2-1) with his third goal of the season from sophomore forward Ryan Daugherty and junior forward Stephan Vigier 8:18 into the third.

Northern allowed only seven shots in the final two periods and had many chances late in the third to score the equalizer.

Bulldog goaltender CJ Motte had seven saves in the final frame and Travis Ouellette scored the empty-netter with 11 seconds left in the game to seal the victory. It was unassisted.

Brandon Anslemini opened the game’s scoring 10:42 after the initial puck drop with a power-play goal from Eric Alexander and Simon Denis.

Kyle Bonis added to the lead for Ferris with his 15th goal of the season 7:54 into the second. Denis and Travis Ouellette assisted on the play.

Junior goaltender Jared Coreau had 18 saves for NMU, including 10 in the first period. Motte stopped 24 shots.

Each team took three minor penalties. FSU was 1-for-2 on the man advantage while NMU was 0-for-2.

The two teams wrap up the series on Saturday. The puck drops at 7:35 p.m. on the final event of the Pink Wave. Fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness to all three NMU events at the Berry Events Center. Men’s basketball tips off at 11 a.m. with the women playing at 1 p.m. Money raised goes to Cancer Care of Marquette County.