Ferris State took a one goal lead into the third period Saturday night against the Badgers and added one more in the third to beat the Badgers, 2-1 in Big Rapids, Michigan.
The first period of play did not lead to any goals, despite both teams getting three separate chances on the power play.
Freshman goalie, Matt Jurusik, put together his best first period of his Badger career allowing no goals on ten shots he faced in the first 20 minutes.
The Badgers could not give him any goal support, however, ending the first period locked up with Ferris State at 0-0.
The second period would give way to the first goal of the game.
The Badgers were called for too many men on the ice, a penalty, that many on the Badger bench disagreed with, but nevertheless, the Bulldogs went on the man advantage.
A rush on the net lead to the puck bouncing off the skate of Ferris State’s Chad McDonald and into the back of the net. The referees reviewed the goal but it was upheld and Ferris State took the first lead of the game.
Wisconsin would not be able to get much going after the early second period goal offensively, ending the period trailing by 1-0 but on the power play.
The top line of Luke Kunin, Grant Besse and Jedd Soleway looked to give the Badgers best chances during the first two periods, generating numerous chances. They were due for a goal.
The power play from the second that carried over into the third period proved to be a difference maker as Freshman star, Luke Kunin, found the back of the net on the power play to tie the game just 29 seconds into the third period.
It was Luke Kunin’s second goal of the year, both goals coming from the power play. Grant Besse and Jedd Soleway were credited with assists.
Ferris State responded quickly, scoring 19 seconds later to give the Bulldogs the lead right back. Ryker Killins was credited with the go-ahead goal.
Jurusik did his best, saving 38 of shots on the night including one beauty with just over six minutes left to keep the Badgers in the game.
Jurusik, who appears to have officially won the starting position for Wisconsin looks more confident with every minute he gets under his belt.
Ryan Wagner almost grabbed the equalizer late in the third. Wagner intercepted a pass in the Ferris State zone and whipped the puck past Ferris State’s Goalie Daren Smith with 4:49 left in the game. The goalpost saved Smith and the puck stayed out of the net. Smith ended the night with 29 saves.
Wisconsin went on the power play for the seventh time with 2:42 left to play in the game, giving Wisconsin a golden opportunity to tie up the game late once more.
The power play unit failed the Badgers, only going one for seven on the night and the Badgers fell to Ferris State in the series finale, 2-1.
Wisconsin remains winless on the season, slipping to 0-3-3 on the year.
Arizona State heads to the Kohl Center for Halloween weekend as Mike Eaves and his Badgers are in desperate need of a win. They hope to get that elusive win Friday, October 30th at 7 PM CT in Madison, Wisconsin.
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