The Bulldogs Bite the 'Nooks 2-1

After stepping off the plane just over 24 before stepping on the ice, Ferris State didn't seem to have any jet lag at all like I thought they would.

The first period got off to a bit of a different start, there was a bit of back and forth action, with some good pace and quality scoring chances. But with about 2:30 remaining, Greenham made a hell of a save on a bit of a breakaway by Eric Alexander, but Fillinger was there behind the net to collect the rebound and got it out front to Travis Oullette who buried his third of the season past Greenham under the glove. While the Nanooks had their chances, especially on two power play chances, they couldn't get any past Nagle as the Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead to the locker room.


The second period, while a number of chances were generated, the Nanooks just couldn't bury any. Nagle really had a sharp game through the first two periods (and the whole game, really). With about 12 minutes left, the Nanooks had some momentum going but couldn't capitalize. Matthew Kirzinger took a pas from linemate Mike Embach, and danced around the Nanook defenders and buried the goal. It really was a good goal. But thats when the emotions started to drain. The life seemed to get sucked out of the team, but one guy noticeably played with some fire and intensity every shift, and he got rewarded.

With time running down in the third, and the Nanook net empty, Jarret Granberg was rewarded for his efforts, and aside from the goal, I thought Jarret really had a great game all around. He played with an intensity that nobody else matched. And he was always looking to make a play. Now I'm not saying the other guys didn't play well, but Jarret definitely caught the eye.

Tomorrow though, the guys are definitely going to have to put some serious pressure on Nagle. Ferris' defense rides on them keeping bodies away from the net and giving Nagle space to work. The 'Nooks disrupted that in the third and eventually got one in. As the game went on, you could tell Nagle was getting tired and getting slower. Keeping him working, and making him move is going to be key tomorrow.

Super Bowl Sunday is upon us, and while my Packers jerseys have emerged from the closet, tomorrow night it's all about Nanook hockey. With this W, Ferris moves to sole possession of 5th with a 2 point advantage over the Nooks in the standings. See you at the game tomorrow.