Ferris State's Empty Netter Ends the Nanooks Comeback Efforts

Nanooks found themselves down 4 goals early in the 3rd period, but with 3 goals of their own, the guys found themselves in comeback mode, but it just fell short.

First period got off to a good start I thought. The Nanooks had good energy and controlled play early but fell victim to the Ferris State transition game and got back on their heels a bit., Gerald Mayhew made a good play across the blue line. J.D. Peterson made a good play to check Mayhew in my opinion, but the puck took a Ferris State bounce right on the stick of Domenic Panetta. With Peterson out of the way, Panetta just had Keeney to beat from low of the faceoff circle and he won that battle high glove side on Keeney.

Motte with a big save on Colton Beck in the 2nd period

2nd period the 'Nooks finally got some power play chances to work with after Cory Kane had a big hit on Cody Kunyk in the corner. I agreed with the call. Kunyk was not hurt, but the onus of the hit is on the hitter, and Kunyk's back was clearly turned. But sadly, two quick transitions for Ferris State late in the period less than 3 minutes apart. Robinson on a breakaway, and Binkley with a a hard shot on a 3 on 2 rush that Keeney couldn't get the arm closed soon enough as the Nanooks find themselves down 3 goals heading into the 3rd.

Ferris got up early on a slapshot from Chad MacDonald from above the faceoff circle. Then it was all Nanooks from there. Colton Parayko got a good rush started after Hajdukovich made the play at center ice to stop the transition. He made a great pass behind the defender Connor Schmidt to find Marcus Basara, who made a backhanded snipe top shelf over the blocker of Motte to break the goose egg.  There was blood in the water now, and the Nanooks just kept coming. Cody Kunyk made a phenomenal snipe of his own to the same spot about 5 minutes later with a great move to cut to the slot. That would mark point number 100 for his career.

Then just a minute and 15 seconds later, Tyler Morley brought the game within reach with about 8 minutes to go on a nice feed from Campbell. The Nanooks started bringing the house, but seemed to be in a bit of a panic, as none of the players seemed to want to keep the puck on their stick. When adrenaline gets pumping, and the pressure rises the need to get rid of the puck quickly but they had space to work with but couldn't settle it down.

Then an empty netter as Babinski breaks free of Quinn and puts the puck in the empty net with 38 seconds to go ends the Nanooks hopes at a comeback. They did it once against Mercyhurst, but couldn't get the elusive 4th goal tonight to get the win. Nanooks finish the game outshooting FSU 44-32. 34-18 in the final 2 periods.

The Nanooks return tomorrow for the final game of the series and look to end Ferris State's unbeaten streak.