Ferris State Hockey 11th In USCHO Preseason National Poll

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team continues to receive preseason recognition as the Bulldogs are ranked 11th nationally in the 2012-13 USCHO.com National Preseason Poll announced late Monday.

FSU previously was ranked 14th nationally in the 2012-13 USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Preseason Poll released last week.

The Bulldogs, who concluded the 2011-12 campaign with a final number two ranking in the national polls following an appearance in the national championship game, received 472 total points in voting.  The USCHO.com Poll consists of 50 voters, including 28 coaches from the Division I conferences and 22 beat writers and sports professionals from across the country. The poll, published weekly by the Associated Press, is a production of USCHO.com, which provides in-depth coverage of college hockey.

Defending NCAA Division I National Champion Boston College was tabbed as the preseason national favorite with 35 first-place votes and 972 total points.  They were followed by Minnesota in second place with 937 points and 12 first-place votes.

FSU is among fsix Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) members found among the nation's top 20 teams along with Michigan (3rd), Miami (9th), Western Michigan (10th), Notre Dame (14th) and Michigan State (16th).

Additionally, all four 2012 NCAA Men's Frozen Four participants are represented in the rankings with Boston College, Minnesota, Ferris State and Union (5th).

Ferris State is the defending CCHA Regular-Season Champion and reached the national championship game at the Frozen Four last season in Tampa, Fla.

Single-game tickets for all 2012-13 Ferris State University hockey home contests are currently on sale. Fans can help the Bulldogs "Celebrate The Legacy" and catch the final year of CCHA action by purchasing tickets in advance for any home contest during the 2012-13 campaign.

This season, fans will be able to save on single-game tickets by purchasing in advance rather than waiting until gameday.  The Bulldogs sold out four of their final five home contests inside the Ewigleben Ice Arena last year.

The FSU Athletics Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EDT) and on Saturday gamedays starting at 12 p.m. (ET).  They will also offer special extended hours on Wednesday's thru the end of the season until 7 p.m. (ET).  For more information on ticket sales, please contact the FSU Athletics Ticket Office at (231) 591-2888 or visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com.

Ferris State will open its 35th season of intercollegiate competition at the NCAA Division I level on Sunday, Oct. 7, with an exhibition contest versus Ryerson University in Big Rapids. The puck will drop at 3:05 p.m. (EDT) for the contest at FSU's Ewigleben Ice Arena.  Complimentary parking will be offered with a special magnet giveaway.

The regular-season home opener is on Oct. 19 as Mercyhurst comes to town for a two-game non-league series beginning at 7:05 p.m. (ET).