Sweeping the Spartans: FSU junior center Travis Ouellette faces off against a Spartan during the Michigan State game Jan. 27. The Bulldogs swept the series against Michigan State for the first time since 1990. Photo By: Brock Copus | Multimedia Editor

The Spartans came to Big Rapids Jan. 27–28 looking to move up in the CCHA standings. But the Bulldogs thwarted Michigan State in the first game of the series, defeating them 2–1.

Ferris netted its first goal of the game with 18 seconds left in the second period. Senior captain Chad Billins was awarded his fourth goal of the season during a power play. Senior forward Derek Graham and freshman defenseman Simon Denis earned assists on the goal.

Freshman forward TJ Schlueter netted the final tally for Ferris, his fourth goal of the season and first game-winning goal of his Bulldog career. Graham assisted on the goal.

Senior Ferris forward Jordie Johnston said that in the first game of the series, a goal the Bulldogs scored was waived off due to review. Then MSU scored a goal that went to review, but its goal was counted.

“We know a lot of teams will get down after a situation like that,” Johnston said. “Instead, we fought back and scored a goal pretty soon after. I think that was the moment that showed we were there for the weekend and we weren’t going to let another team define how we were going to play.”

In the second game of the series, Ferris handed MSU a 4–3 defeat. Graham was the first to score for the Bulldogs’ offense. Since switching from defenseman to forward, senior forward Derek Graham has scored nine points (2G, 7A) in the last six games.

Sophomore forward Cory Kane found the back of the Spartans’ net with 36 seconds left in the first period, giving the Bulldogs a 2–1 lead.

Johnston scored his 15th goal of the season. Junior forward Travis Ouellette broke a 3–3 tie with his game-winning goal on the power play, 1:56 into the third period.

As the final game of the series came to an end, the entire arena chanted “FSU.” All members of the crowd were on their feet, giving the Bulldogs a standing ovation.

“I’ve never heard our entire arena chanting ‘FSU, FSU.’ It honestly sent chills throughout my body,” senior Ferris goaltender Taylor Nelson said. “The last minute of that second game, you couldn’t hear anything. It was so loud; it was incredible.”

Nelson started both games for the Bulldogs. Nelson’s season record improved to 13–4-1.

The Bulldogs are now 11–6-3–1 in the conference and 17–8-3 overall. Ferris moved to the top of the conference by earning six league points after sweeping MSU.

The Bulldogs are on an eight-game unbeaten streak, 6–0-2. Though the Bulldogs are on an eight-game win streak, Nelson said the team should not be satisfied with the streak they’re on. Instead, Nelson believes the team needs to keep the streak going.

“Yeah, we’re in first. But from first to eighth place, there’s no point difference,” Nelson said. “Every game from here on out is going to be a war. We can’t afford to take a night off at any point.”

Ferris will need to find a way to score on Northern Michigan’s sophomore goaltender Jared Coreau during the Bulldogs’ road trip Feb. 3–4 to NMU.

Coreau is 6th-ranked in the nation in save percentage, .930-percent after 16 games played, according to U.S. College Hockey Online. Coreau is 8–4-2 this season.

Northern split its road series against Miami Jan. 27–28. Northern is nationally 19th-ranked (USCHO). The Bulldogs will face Northern Michigan on the Wildcats’ Olympic-sized rink, 200 feet by 100 feet, which is 15 feet wider than the Bulldogs’ rink.

“Any team can win on any given night, and Northern is no exception,” Nelson said. “It’s going to be another battle.”

To view a photo gallery from the series, visit http://www.fsutorch.com/2012/01/29/web-exclusive/hockey-vs-michigan-state-photo-gallery/

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Ferris began its series in Columbus with a 4–3 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Jan. 20. The Bulldogs scored all four of their goals by the beginning of the second period, before Ohio State could find the back of Ferris’ net.

Ohio State then scored three goals during the second and third periods. With 7:21 remaining in the game, Ferris junior forward Eric Alexander received a five-minute trip to the penalty box after making head contact with an OSU skater. Alexander was ejected from the game and suspended from playing in the second game of the OSU series. The Ohio State skater was not injured from the hit.

Two minutes later, Ferris freshman defender Jason Binkley was tagged for a two-minute hooking charge.

Ferris had only three players on the ice to defend a one-point lead against Ohio State’s full strength offense late in the third period. Junior Ferris forwards Matthew Kerzinger and Travis Ouellette made two blocks for Ferris to aid in the penalty killing and keep Ohio State from converting on the man-advantage.

“Special teams probably made the biggest difference in the weekend,” Bonis said.

Senior Ferris goalie Taylor Nelson made 11 saves in the third period and 30 saves in the game to hold off the Buckeyes for his 11th win of the season.

In the next game, Jan. 21, the Buckeyes forced the teams to overtime by tying the game 3–3. Neither team could find the back of the net during overtime, which led to a shootout.

Ferris, after securing a league point for the tie, went on to win during the shootout and earned another league point for the win.

“Taking five points out of six against the number five team in the nation is just a great feeling for everybody,” Bonis said. “We trusted our system and that’s why we came out on top.”

Ferris’ skaters Bonis and senior Derek Graham converted in the shootout while freshman goaltender CJ Motte warded off three Ohio State shots in the shootout. Motte improved his record to 4–4-2.

“We’re getting contributions from a number of different people; that’s definitely a positive thing,” Bonis said.

Ferris picked up five league points out of a possible six points. The Bulldogs moved up to fifth place in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

The Bulldogs improved their conference record to 9–6-3–1 and Ferris is now 15–8-3 overall. Ferris is 4–0-2 since returning from break.

The Bulldogs were 4–11 on the power play in the series against OSU. Ferris allowed Ohio State to score on only 1–12 of its power play opportunities for the duration of the series.

Ferris will come home to embrace their home fans at the Ewigleben Ice Arena in a two-game series against nationally 16th-ranked Michigan State Jan. 27–28 at 7:05 p.m.

According to U.S. College Hockey Online, Michigan State is ranked third in the nation in penalty killing. MSU kills 89.4 percent of their penalties.

Ferris will rely on their 7th-ranked team defense to combat MSU’s 18th-ranked team offense (USCHO).

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Ferris snapped Michigan Tech’s 37-game home court winning streak Jan. 19 with a 68–65 victory. The Bulldogs took a two game lead over nationally 19th-ranked MTU in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division standings. Senior guard Tricia Principe scored a team-high 25 points against MTU. Principe hit five three-pointers in the second half to lead the Bulldogs past the Huskies. Ferris finished its road trip to the Upper Peninsula to defeat Northern Michigan 78–71 Jan. 21 in Marquette. Ferris trailed NMU 33–24 at the half. The Bulldogs came back in the second half to outscore Northern Michigan 54–38. Freshman forward Christina Branch led the Bulldogs in scoring with 23 points. Sophomore Sarah DeShone added 18 points for Ferris. The Bulldogs improved their record to 12–4 overall and 9–1 in league play. Ferris will now prepare to host conference rival Grand Valley State University Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. in the Wink Arena.

FSU hockey player honored by the conference

Ferris State University men’s ice hockey freshman defenseman Simon Denis was recently selected as the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Gladiator Defensemen of the Week. In the series against fifth-ranked Ohio State University, Denis recorded a career-best two assists in each of the nationally-ranked Bulldogs’ games and blocked a total of three shots this past weekend. In Friday’s 4–3 victory over the Buckeyes, he tallied assists on both the first goal of the game and on the eventual game-winning score. Denis also blocked a shot in the outing. In Saturday’s 3–3 overtime tie, he he added two more assists and two more blocked shots. Denis leads the Bulldog hockey freshmen class with seven assists total this campaign.

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The Bulldogs came back to Big Rapids to face non-conference foe Urbana University on Jan. 11. Ferris’ defense kept Urbana under 50 points and forced them to shoot 30-percent from the field, while the Bulldogs went on to win 82–47. The game featured 10 steals, 48 rebounds, and 25 points scored off of turnovers for the Bulldogs.

After defeating Urbana, the Bulldogs went on to resume conference play Jan. 14 against Northwood University.

Northwood challenged the Bulldogs’ winning streak, but failed to defeat the Bulldogs. Ferris earned a 78–44 victory over the Timberwolves.

Ferris secured a 40–20 lead by halftime and coasted its way to the victory in the second half. Four Bulldogs reached double-digit scoring in the match.

Ferris sophomore guard Sarah DeShone led the Bulldogs with 18 points, while senior guard Kelsey DeNoyelles put up 14 points for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldog defense forced 23 turnovers that led to a 29–9 advantage over the Timberwolves in points off of turnovers. Ferris also limited Northwood to 26.5-percent shooting from the field.

Ferris improved its conference record to 7–1 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division. The Bulldogs are 10–4 overall.

The Bulldogs are now on a four-game winning streak since returning to campus.

Ferris will face Michigan Tech on Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m. in Houghton. The Bulldogs own a one-game lead over Michigan Tech in the GLIAC North Division. The Bulldogs have defeated Michigan Tech once this season. The Bulldogs are 4–1 on the road in the GLIAC.

“It’s always tough playing at Tech and going to the UP,” Principe said. “If we play how we know we can, we should be able to get the win.”

Michigan Tech is nationally 18th-ranked according to USA Today/ESPN Coaches. Michigan Tech is 7–3 in the GLIAC.

“Against Michigan Tech, it’s really going to all come down to playing fundamentally sound defense,” Principe said. “If we can get stops, then everything on offense will take care of itself.”

Ferris will round out an Upper Peninsula road trip with a game against Northern Michigan Jan. 21 at 1 p.m. in Marquette.

“We need to have a really good week of practice and make sure we stay focused,” Principe said.

Ferris defeated Northern Michigan at home earlier this season. Northern is currently 2–6 in the GLIAC North Division.

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Stopping Alaska: FSU junior center Travis Ouellette keeps an Alaska Nanook from getting near the puck during the Jan. 13 game. The Bulldogs split the series with the Nanooks. Photo By: Brock Copus | Multimedia Editor

The Bulldogs made their return to conference play against the Alaska Nanooks Jan. 13–14 at the Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids.

“It’s nice to get back and play in front of your home fans and play at home,” Ferris senior center Jordie Johnston said. “It’d be perfect if you could play every game at home.”

The series began Jan. 13 with a 4–4 tie between the Bulldogs and Nanooks. After overtime, the Nanooks managed to snag a shootout win over the Bulldogs. Ferris earned a league point from the tie. Though the Bulldogs did not win the shootout, Johnston said it was more frustrating failing to capitalize in regulation.

In the series finale, Jan. 14, Ferris received multi-point efforts from junior forward Matthew Kirzinger and sophomore forward Garrett Thompson in their 4–3 win over Alaska.

“We were hoping to come out with six points, but basically a tie and a win is not a terrible weekend by any means,” Johnston said.

Johnston tallied his 13th goal of the season in the final bout against the Nanooks. Johnston leads the squad in scoring with 21 points this season. Johnston has generated seven points (5G, 2A) for the Bulldogs since the return from break.

“My line mates and I are really starting to click,” said Johnston.

Ferris senior defenseman Chad Billins gave the Bulldogs a 2–1 lead in the second period with his goal. Kerzinger netted a goal of his own in the third period. Thompson made the game-winning goal.

Despite being outshot by the Nanooks 28–20, the Bulldog’s senior net minder Taylor Nelson managed to improve his record to 10–4-1.

Ferris has yet to lose since returning from break, winning 3 of its last four games.

The Bulldogs are 8–6-2–0 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and 14–8-2 overall.

Ferris will next play against Ohio State University Jan. 20–21 at Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State is currently leading the CCHA with 34 points. OSU owns a 10–4-3–1 conference record.

Collecting Points: FSU senior center Jordie Johnston made his 13th goal of the season during the game against the Alaska Nanooks. Johnston now leads the team with 21 points overall for the 2011-12 season. Photo By: Brock Copus | Multimedia Editor

According to U.S. College Hockey Online, Ohio State is nationally 5th-ranked in team defense. The Bulldogs are not far behind the Buckeyes at 8th-ranked.

“They’re going to be a really good opponent,” Johnston said. “When we’re at our best, we’re defensive.”

Ohio State will rely on senior goaltender Cal Heeter to help defend the net from the Bulldogs. Heeter holds the fifth best save percentage in the league at .932 in 19 games.

Ferris freshman C.J. Motte holds the 13th best save percentage in the nation, .925. After 15 games this season, Nelson holds a .923 save percentage and is nationally 14th-ranked.

The Bulldogs will look to limit the number of penalty minutes they receive against them. Ferris is among the leaders of penalty minutes against, averaging just over 17 minutes a game in the box.

Ferris will be facing an OSU team that converts on nearly 20 percent of their power play opportunities.

The two teams will meet on Jan. 20 and the puck will drop at 7:05 p.m. in Columbus.

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Former Bulldog defenseman Zach Redmond has been chosen to play in the 2012 American Hockey League All-Star Classic Jan. 29–30 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. Redmond currently plays for the St. John’s IceCaps. He will represent the AHL Eastern Conference All-Star team. Redmond, 23, is in his first full season in the AHL. He has played 32 games with the IceCaps as a defenseman and has 15 points this season (4G, 11A).

Volleyball player named Academic All-American

Junior middle hitter Anne Sutton was named to the 2011 Capital One Division II Academic All-America Third Team. College Sports Information Directors of America selected Sutton and other members of the academic All-American squad for their combined effort on the court and in the classroom. Sutton was second for the Bulldogs in kills with 335. She helped on defense for the Bulldogs with the second most blocks, 75.

Ferris volleyball inks Illinois native

The Bulldogs have signed Danielle Dowd of Manhattan, Ill. Dowd attends Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox, Ill. She helped lead Lincoln-Way Central to a 26–12 overall record and an eventual conference and regional championship in 2011. Dowd posted 332 kills, 289 digs, and 109 total blocks in her final season at Lincoln-Way Central. At Lincoln-Way Central, Dowd was a four-year letter winner. Dowd attained All-Southwest Suburban League honors for the second-straight year. She has played club volleyball for the Ultimate 18 Gold Team, which placed fifth at nationals in 2010. Dowd has been playing volleyball since the fourth grade and has been active in Pi Sigma Pi and Mu Alpha Theta during her prep tenure. n

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The Bulldogs had 10 days off during the winter break which some chose to use to return home and see family they don’t normally get the chance to see.

During the winter break, the Bulldogs were also faced with the challenge of competing against non-conference opponent RTI on Dec. 29 after not playing a hockey game for 19 days.

RTI shut the Bulldogs out with a 3–0 win in the Sheraton/TD Bank Catamount Cup Tournament at the Gutterson Fieldhouse in Burlington, Vt.

Ferris failed to convert on its power play opportunities against RTI. The Bulldogs were 0–9 on the man advantage against RTI and held a 16–7 advantage in scoring chances. Ferris allowed two power play goals in the match-up.

“We had chances, it was just a matter of finishing those chances,” junior forward Kyle Bonis said.

The next day, Dec. 30, Ferris faced the University of Vermont in another non-conference match-up. Ferris lost to Vermont 4–2, where the Bulldogs were 1–4 on the power play. Vermont was 3–7 on the power play.

“Despite the losses, there were some good things to come out of it,” Bonis said. “After that we realized what we needed to do and the things that made us successful in the first half in the season that we need to continue in the second half for us to continue to win.”

Prior to Ferris’ winter break, the Bulldogs split a home-and-home series against a top ranked Notre Dame team.

The Bulldogs are 11–8-1 overall. Ferris is sitting in fifth place in the CCHA at 7–6-1 with 22 league points.

The Bulldogs took on nationally 9th-ranked non-conference opponent Colgate University Jan. 6–7. FSU defeated Colgate 4–3 Friday and 3–1 Saturday. Senior forward Jordie Johnston recorded his first career hat trick in Friday’s victory. The wins snapped a three-game losing streak.

Ferris will have the opportunity to host the Alaska Nanooks at the Ewigleben Ice Arena on Jan. 13–14.

“We’re excited to play at home again,” Bonis said. “I think the team is sitting in a very good place right now.”

The Bulldogs are 1–1 this season against the Nanooks. Ferris last played the Nanooks in Alaska and have been waiting for the opportunity to challenge the Nanooks on Bulldog ice since the series split Nov. 18–19.

“If we play to the ability that we’re capable of, then we’re a top team in the country,” Bonis said. “That’s the mindset the team needs to have. We want to make sure that by the time CCHA conference play returns, there’s no excuses.”

Bonis acknowledged that the goal is still the same for this year: Get Ferris back to the Joe.

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After compiling a 30–4 record over three years as the head coach of the Grand Rapids Community College football program, Annese will replace former Ferris coach Jeff Pierce as head coach for Ferris in 2012.

During his three years at GRCC, Annese led the Raiders to two National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Championships, one in 2009 and one in 2011.

Annese’s last season with the GRCC program featured an undefeated record of 11–0. The Raiders averaged 50 points and 510 yards a game during 2011. Annese led the Raiders to a compiled score of 500 points during 2011, while his team limited their opponents to 174 total points allowed in the entire season.

Annese was named the NJCAA Regional Coach of the Year three seasons in a row.

The Raiders football program finished among the nation’s top ten for three consecutive years with Annese at the helm. In 2010, GRCC led the nation in total offense. While in 2009 and 2011, the Raiders were among the nations top ten in total scoring offense.

Annese’s duties at GRCC included recruiting, player development, academic support, and more.

Prior to Annese’s college experience, he has spent 22 years as a high school football coach in Michigan and compiled a 195–41 record at the prep level. Annese coached at Montrose, Ann Arbor Pioneer, Jenison, and Muskegon High Schools. He made 15 playoff appearances, which includes five trips to the state semi-finals and three state championships.

In total, Annese sports a 225–45 record as a head coach at the high school and junior college levels. Annese has never coached at the Division II level.

Annese will be faced with the challenge of turning around a Bulldog program that went 23–41 against in-state league opponents during the last 10 years. Ferris has failed to finish more than once in the top three of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings in the last 10 years.

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The Tiffin Dragons of Tiffin, Ohio were the first team the Bulldogs faced in the GLIAC. Tiffin and the Bulldogs went into half time tied at 37 points.

Ferris then jumped to an 11-point lead in the first five minutes of the second half, which led to an 81–64 victory over Tiffin on Dec. 1.

Senior guard Dontae Molden willed his way to 19 points, four rebounds, and three assists against Tiffin. Senior forward Jerrell Sanders tallied 18 points with five assists and four rebounds.

“This road trip was a statement road trip to the other GLIAC teams that shows we are for real,” Sanders said. “As defending champions, the target on your back is even bigger. Every game we play, no matter who we play, is going to be a struggle because every team wants to beat us.”

The idea of grabbing the Bulldogs first win of GLIAC play drove Sanders and Molden’s offensive performances, Molden acknowledged.

“The hunger to get a win on the road and win our first league game motivated the team,” Molden said.

Ferris finished its road trip with a 69–60 win against Ohio Dominican University Dec. 3 in Columbus, Ohio.

The Bulldogs jumped to a 40–23 lead in the first half. ODU battled its way back into the game by posting 37 points in the second half. But the Bulldogs scored 29 in the second half to lead to their victory.

Junior guard Kenny Brown led the Bulldogs in scoring against ODU with 16 points. Junior forward Daniel Sutherlin recorded his third consecutive double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

“The league games mean the most, and starting off 2–0 is great for us as a young team,” Molden said. “We’ve got a lot of confidence and we’re playing better now.”

After defeating a pair of GLIAC South Division foes, the Bulldogs improve to 2–0 in the GLIAC and 4–3 overall. The Bulldogs have won each of their last four games.

The next time Ferris will face a conference opponent will be on Dec. 10 in their match-up against Northwood University at 6 p.m. inside the Bennett Sports Center in Midland.

“To repeat a championship, you have to win on the road as well as at home,” Sanders said. “Every road game is a hostile environment. We just need to go in there and be focused.”

Northwood is currently 1–1 in the GLIAC North Division and share the same overall record as the Bulldogs. Northwood’s only GLIAC loss is to Findlay University.

Ferris faced nonconference Alma on Dec. 6. Due to production times, the score could not be reported.

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Ferris faced off against nationally 12th-ranked Western Michigan in Ewigleben Ice Arena Dec. 2. The Bulldogs scored first against Western but in the end FSU lost to the Broncos 4–2.

“I think we came out flat in the third period and Western is a good team that took advantage of that,” senior center Jordie Johnston said. “It just shows that you have to play 60 minutes every night if you want to win.”

The Bulldogs’ goals came from junior leftwing Kyle Bonis and junior rightwing Matthew Kirzinger. Johnston assisted each goal.

Senior goaltender Taylor Nelson turned away 34 of the Broncos’ 37 shots on him. The Broncos scored their fourth goal of the game on an empty net.

This season the nationally 6th-ranked Bulldogs have won eight of their games in which they scored first.

Western Michigan finished off its sweep of FSU on Dec. 3 with a 3–0 victory.

“These games that we played this weekend were as close to a playoff series without being in the playoffs,” Nelson said.

Last season Western Michigan defeated Ferris in the quarterfinals of the CCHA playoffs.

Ferris is now 10–5-1 overall and 6–5-1–0 in Central Collegiate Hockey Association play. Ferris fell to fifth in the CCHA standings and has 19 league points to date.

Next up for the Bulldogs will be nationally 2nd-ranked Notre Dame in the two teams’ first meeting of the season. Nelson said the team knows what to expect after the series with Western Michigan.

“You make one mistake and the puck could end up in the back of your net,” Nelson said. “We can learn from this [Western Michigan] series, move into next weekend and come out and play like we know we can.”

Notre Dame is currently in second-place of the CCHA standings. Notre Dame sports a 10–2-3–0 CCHA record and are 10–5-3 overall. The Fighting Irish have 24 points in the CCHA and are five points behind league leader Ohio State University. Nelson said after splitting with Alaska and being swept by Western, the team is hungry to get some wins.

“We have to get back to what got us to winning ways and that was playing hardnosed hockey,” Nelson said.

Nonconference Northeastern University swept Notre Dame Dec. 2–3 and split its Nov. 25–26 series against Lake Superior State. Ferris has defeated Lake Superior this season 5–1 in Ewigleben Ice Arena.

The Fighting Irish will have to score on a nationally 3rd-ranked team defense that has only allowed 1.88 goals a game (U.S. College Hockey Online), in order to defeat the Bulldogs.

According to USCHO, Notre Dame is ranked 27th in the nation in both team offense and defense. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have averaged 2.69 goals a game and are ranked 35th in the nation in team offense.

The two teams will begin their home-and-home series in Ewigleben Ice Arena on Dec. 9 at 7:05 p.m.

Ferris will then head to South Bend, Ind. Dec. 10 for their 7:05 p.m. match-up against Notre Dame.

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