BLOG 27: Hockey aims to keep it going against Nanooks

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State hockey player J.T. Dahlinger (20) tries to control the puck under pressure during a ice hockey game from earlier in the season in Ewigleben Ice Arena (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – Ferris State University’s level of success on the road has been solid thus far on the young season for the Bulldog ice hockey team.

Ferris took three points two weekends ago against Miami (Ohio) and then split a pair of games for two points against Nebraska-Omaha. That is good stuff ... as they say. That success on the road now must translate to good times at home in Ewigleben Ice Arena. The Bulldogs have to continue to compete at a high level and avoid a letdown against what will be a competitive Alaska team this weekend.

The Bulldogs and Nanooks begin this two-game series on Friday with a 7:05 p.m. game and then wrap up with another 7:05 p.m. on Saturday. Ferris enters the weekend with a record of 5-4-3 overall and 4-2-2-0 in the CCHA while Alaska comes to Big Rapids owners of a record of 5-4-1 overall and 3-3-0-0 in league action.

Ferris has to find a way to muster energy – good energy – against Alaska and get off to a good start in the opener on Friday night. Getting the crowd in the game early could pay off in this first home contest in several weeks. If the Bulldogs can get good energy early and start with a quick goal, it could bode well for the balance of the weekend. Actually, Ferris has been a strong goal-scoring team in Ewigleben averaging 3.4 per game at home and that trend needs to continue against Alaska.

Through this early stage of the young season, Aaron Lewicki continues to score well as he earned his team-leading sixth goal of the season against Nebraska-Omaha on Friday night.

Goaltending, however, has improved as the backbone of the Bulldogs defense as sophomore Pat Nagle and freshman Taylor Nelson have been solid.

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