Ferris State Hockey Suffers 3-1 Setback at Miami (Ohio) to Conclude Opening Weekend Series

Oxford, Ohio – The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Miami University (Ohio) RedHawks Saturday (Oct. 4) in the season opening series finale.

The Bulldogs (0-2-0) fell behind 16 seconds into play Saturday night and trailed until midway through the third period. Josh Zary converted a power play goal that tied the game 1-1, but Miami (Ohio) scored minutes later to seal the series sweep.

Hobie Hedquist started between the pipes for FSU and made 24 saves in his Bulldog debut.

Early, only 16 seconds into the game, the RedHawks claimed a 1-0 advantage with a goal from Justin Stupka. Casper Nassen sent a pass to Stupka in the Bulldog zone where Stupka then took a shot that beat Hedquist for the game's first goal.

Neither team scored again until 10:05 in the third period. The Bulldogs went to the power play after a boarding penalty from Shaun McEwen. Connor McGrath sent a pass to Christopher Lie, who took a shot from the point. Zary tipped Lie's shot past the RedHawks' goaltender Matteo Drobac for his second power play goal in as many nights. Lie collected his third assist of the series and McGrath got his second helper this weekend (third point).

Miami (Ohio) managed to retake the lead at 17:01 with a goal from Kocha Delic. Michael Quinn fired a shot that Hedquist saved, but the rebound went to Delic, and he finished the scoring chance. Matteo Giampa also assisted.

FSU pulled Hedquist for the extra attacker and attempted to force overtime. However, Maximilion Helgeson scored an empty-net goal to seal a victory for Miami (Ohio).

For the game, FSU was 1-5 on the power play and a perfect 5-5 on the penalty kill. The Bulldogs had 20 shots on goal, won 42 faceoffs and blocked 11 shots. The RedHawks had 27 shots on goal, won 30 faceoffs and blocked 22 shots.

Hedquist made 24 saves on 26 shots faced (.923). Drobac finished with 19 saves on 20 shots faced (.950). Tyler Schleppe led FSU in both shots on goal (three) and faceoff wins (16). Lie paced the squad with two blocked shots.

Ferris State will be back in action Thursday (Oct. 9) and Friday (Oct. 10) for a home-and-home series against defending national champion, Western Michigan University. Thursday's game is set for 7:07 p.m. (ET) from Lawson Ice Arena in Kalamazoo with pregame coverage beginning on Sunny 97.3 FM at 6:30 p.m. (ET). Friday will be Ferris State's home opener with puck drop scheduled for 7:07 p.m. (ET) at the Ewigleben Ice Arena. The game will air on Sunny 97.3 FM and be streamed live on Midco Sports Plus.