BLOG 28: Painful sweep puts damper on Bulldogs

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State’s Aaron Lewicki battles for the loose puck during a faceoff during last weekend’s series against Alaska in Ewigleben Ice Arena. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – Ferris State University, after two productive weekends of college hockey on the road, returned home eager to build on that success.

Unfortunately, it was not meant to be for Ferris. Visiting Alaska played the Bulldogs mostly even, but got just enough breaks to escape with a pair of Central Collegiate Hockey Association victories at Ferris’ expense. The Nanooks were 3-2 winners Friday night and earned a 2-0 victory Saturday to finish the sweep. As is the case anywhere else in the CCHA, wins on the road are always big ones and thus Alaska left Big Rapids feeling pretty good about that leg of its trip long trip from Fairbanks.

It was difficult for Ferris head coach Bob Daniels to find much to gripe about as he took the time to ponder each of his team’s losses. In fact, after both games, Daniels’ words were mostly the same. He was not disappointed with his team’s efforts or even the team’s play. In all honesty, the only aspects of the weekend that truly left a sour taste in Daniels’ mouth were the end results: two wins for the visiting Nanooks.

Alaska enjoyed two strong performances between the pipes from goaltender Chad Johnson, who was brilliant throughout the weekend and seemed to have Ferris’ number in both games. Johnson tallied 39 saves against two goals allowed Friday and then had a shutout Saturday with 30 stops. Defensively, the Nanooks also did a good job to help minimize the number of clean shots the Bulldogs were able to get on Johnson.

It was disappointing the Bulldogs (5-6-3 overall, 4-4-2-0 in the CCHA) ended the weekend without picking up points, but the CCHA season is a long one and Ferris has little time to moan and groan about the missed opportunities against the Nanooks. Another tough opponent awaits Ferris as it makes the long trip to Marquette for this weekend’s two game set against Northern Michigan University.

Hopefully Ferris can rediscover its road magic against the Wildcats.

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