BLOG 46: Ferris expecting a fight from Michigan State

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State University hockey players Aaron Lewicki and Justin Lewandowski are right in the thick of the battle for possession of the puck against Nebraska-Omaha (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – Ferris knows it will be facing a cornered tiger when it heads to East Lansing Friday to take on last-place Michigan State – a team with a lot of talent that has had some tough luck this season.

The Bulldogs are taking part in one of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s home-and-home series as Ferris is at MSU on Friday at 7:35 p.m. in a game that will be televised by Fox Sports Network-Detroit. Saturday, the teams are in Big Rapids to finish the series with a 7:05 p.m. start in Ewigleben Ice Arena.

“This is a Michigan State team with a lot of talent and we know it’s going to be a challenge for us going to play them down there or playing them anywhere,” Ferris head coach Bob Daniels said as his team travels to East Lansing 11-11-6 overall and 8-8-4-1 in the CCHA. “They’ve had some tough luck this season, but we’re really going to have to be ready to play going down there.”

For Ferris, mental toughness on the road is important. If Ferris can grab an early lead, withstand the early storm from the Spartans skating hard out of the locker room, the Bulldogs can put themselves in position to steal a road victory. Good goaltending and defense will be key components of the game. Lately, Ferris has enjoyed solid goaltending as rookie Taylor Nelson had a fine series between the pipes last weekend against Nebraska-Omaha.

Hopefully, the offense can get things revved up this weekend and lead the way to what would be two much-needed wins.

Following this weekend, the Bulldogs are at Bowling Green State (Feb. 13-14) and at Alaska (Feb. 20-21).

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