BLOG 49: Bulldog skaters on the road to face Nebraska-Omaha

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State University’s Casey Haines fights for control of the puck off a draw during last weekend’s series against Michigan in Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – Ferris was in the wrong place at the wrong time against a red-hot hockey team representing the University of Michigan.

Needing a point, for a shot at hosting a first-round playoff series, the Bulldogs were held in check during a two-game series with the third-ranked team in the nation last weekend during a home-and-home series. Ferris fell 6-1 to the Wolverines on Friday, in Big Rapids, and dropped a 4-0 decision to U-M, in Ann Arbor, one night later. The Bulldogs could not secure the point they needed and didn’t get help from anyone else in the CCHA to host a three-game series.

What it all means is Ferris’ playoff journey begins against the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the first round of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs. The Bulldogs and Mavericks battle in a best-of-three hockey series at Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb. (March 6-8). Game times will be announced later, but the Bulldogs and Mavericks start the quest in Qwest to keep their seasons alive in this three-game series in Nebraska.

For the Bulldogs, this series is an opportunity to put behind them the tough memories of this past weekend’s painful series with No. 3 Michigan. In the series, FSU was outscored 10-1 by the talented Wolverines who appeared to be on top of their game from start to finish in the home-and-home series.

Ferris and Nebraska-Omaha played two series this season. In Big Rapids (Nov. 14-15), the Bulldogs won 3-2 and lost 4-2. Later, in Nebraska (Jan. 30-31), Ferris won 7-1 and tied 1-1 with a 2-1 shootout win.

For more on the first-round series between the Bulldogs and Mavericks, you can visit:
http://www.ferris.edu/sports/hockey/0809news/cchaplayoffsfirstround.htm

Also, be sure to visit the Ferris athletics Web site for more information later in the week about the series.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com