October 10, 2025
Banner raised, momentum stolen: Ferris State hockey team shocks No. 1 Western Michigan with coach Riley’s first win
On a night meant to celebrate Western Michigan University’s national title, it was Ferris State University that stole the spotlight.
New hockey head coach Brett Riley led the Bulldogs to a thrilling 3–2 upset victory over the top-ranked Broncos, crashing their banner-raising party and sending a jolt through the college hockey world.
Carter Rapalje scored twice in a dominant second period, Gavin Best netted the game-winner late in regulation, and goaltender Hobie Hedquist was sensational, stopping 48 shots to earn his first win as a Bulldog — and Riley’s first as Ferris State’s head coach.
The win marked Ferris State’s first over Western Michigan since 2017 — and its first in Kalamazoo in exactly a decade to the day, Oct. 9, 2015. It was also the Bulldogs’ first win over a defending national champion since 2005.
Western Michigan struck first at 14:08 of the opening period, with freshman Bobby Cowan netting his first collegiate goal. The Broncos carried a 1–0 lead into the locker room — but Ferris State had other plans.
Just 40 seconds into the second period, Rapalje announced his arrival. Defenseman Logan Heroux launched a long pass off the glass from deep in the Ferris zone, springing Rapalje behind the defense. The transfer from Long Island cut into the slot and rifled a shot past WMU goaltender Hampton Slukynsky to even the game, 1–1.
Rapalje wasn’t done. With 1:19 left in the second, Caden Brown dug the puck loose along the boards and found Rapalje, who weaved through defenders and ripped a shot into the top-right corner — giving Ferris State its first lead of the night and Rapalje his first multi-goal game as a Bulldog.
Early in the third, Ferris faced its biggest test. A pair of penalties just 37 seconds apart gave Western a lengthy 5-on-3 advantage, but the Bulldogs’ penalty kill stood strong, thanks in large part to Hedquist’s heroics in goal.
The Broncos eventually tied the game at 2–2 with a goal from Liam Valente at 6:33, but Ferris wasn’t finished.
With just 3:34 remaining, Best turned defense into offense. Fresh off a power play, he forced a turnover in the corner, cut toward the net, and snapped a shot past Slukynsky for the first game-winning goal of his college career — and one of the biggest Ferris State has had in years.
With their season-opening upset within reach, the Bulldogs faced one final storm. Western pulled its goalie with 2:49 left, and things got even dicier when Ferris took a penalty with under a minute to play. Down two skaters for the final 54 seconds, the Bulldogs leaned on Hedquist, who came up with two massive saves to slam the door shut and seal the win.
The victory sets the stage for a highly anticipated rematch on Friday, Oct. 10 at 7:07 p.m. at Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids.
For Riley and the Bulldogs, the message is clear: a new era has arrived — and they’re ready to make noise.