BLOG 50: Bulldog hockey team has its season end

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris hockey players Cody Chupp (8) and Pat Nagle (30) defend the net during a game earlier in the season at home against Ohio State (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – Ferris had a tough time in its first-round Central Collegiate Hockey Association series against Nebraska-Omaha.

After being unable to gain home-court advantage, for the first round, the Bulldogs were forced to travel out to Omaha, Neb. to take on the Mavericks. The advantage clearly went to the home team as Omaha swept the best-of-three series with a 5-2 win on Saturday, in game one and a 3-0 victory on Friday, to secure the series win at Qwest Center. That sweep ends the Bulldogs’ season. Ferris concludes with a record of 12-19-7 overall (having dropped their last seven games).

Ferris graduates a senior class that includes Justin Lewandowski, Corey Couturier, Evan Case, J.T. Dahlinger and Brendan Connolly. Replacing the group will be challenging losing the toughness and two-way play of Couturier, the steadiness of Lewandowski, the blueline steadiness of Case, the scoring of Connolly and the solidifying presence of Dahlinger who enjoyed his opportunities to compete.

Looking ahead, Ferris has two good goaltenders in net both of whom should only get better as sophomore Pat Nagle and freshman Taylor Nelson benefit from an additional year of experience as Nagle will enter his third season and Nelson will be in his second. Ferris must solidify its blueline (and get help from forwards) to make life easier on those two netminders.

The Bulldogs need to consistently put the puck in the net to take pressure off the defense and goaltending next year. If Ferris can find ways to grab the early lead and force opponents to catch up then it only strengthens the team as a whole. Ferris is particularly enthusiastic about several incoming recruits for next year and hopes these new guys can pay dividends early and often.

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