BLOG 38: Bulldogs and Broncos to renew rivalry on the ice

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State University hockey player Blair Riley (25) tries to work himself free with the puck as he is being pinned against the boards in Ewigleben Ice Arena (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – Generally, ice hockey games that pit Ferris State University and Western Michigan University rarely have a shortage of emotion.

But, if ever there was a weekend the Bulldogs could use a strong effort – this is the one. So far this season (with a lot of hockey still to be played during the next two months), Ferris has been about a .500 team. The Bulldogs are 9-9-4 overall and 6-6-2 in the CCHA standings, but with two important games coming this weekend. The Bulldogs and Broncos play Friday in Big Rapids and Saturday in Kalamazoo.

This season’s second half needs to begin strongly for the Bulldogs. Ferris can get off to a good start by protecting its home rink – Ewigleben Ice Arena. Recently, particularly at home, the Bulldogs have fared well against Western and particularly when they have had strong starts. Western is struggling this season at 3-12-5 overall and 2-8-4 in the CCHA, but nothing can be taken for granted. Like the Bulldogs, the Broncos are looking to begin the second half of the CCHA season with positive results.

Most recently, Western competed in the Minnesota Dodge Holiday Classic at Mariucci Arena on the campus of the University of Minnesota. Western fell 3-1 to Northeastern (Jan. 2), but bounced back for a 1-1 tie against Brown (Jan. 3).

The Bulldogs made a trip to Vermont to take part in the Vermont Sheraton/TD Banknorth Catamount Cup at Gutterson Fieldhouse in Burlington, Vt. Ferris fell 5-4 to St. Lawrence (Jan. 2) in the opening round and then skated to a 3-3 tie against Colgate (Jan. 3).

For more on the upcoming hockey weekend of action between the Bulldogs and Broncos:
http://www.ferris.edu/sports/hockey/0809news/0809release1-6.htm

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