GAMEDAY CENTRAL: Ferris State vs. Northern Michigan 12-30-20

Game Day Central serves as the virtual press box for media, National Hockey League scouts, and fans. Live in-game updates will be provided by Ferris State Hockey's twitter account (@FerrisHockey). Additional coverage questions can be answered via email by Ferris State Hockey Play-by-Play Broadcaster and Athletics Communications Associate Harrison Watt (watth@ferris.edu). 

GAME PREVIEW: FERRIS STATE VS. NORTHERN MICHIGAN

A sleepy first period sunk the Bulldogs in their Dec. 16 meeting. After falling behind 4-0 at the Berry Events Center, Ferris State mounted a furious comeback, outscoring the Wildcats 4-1 the rest of the way, waylaid only by a pair of goal posts and narrow misses in a bid to even the contest. Amongst the chaos, freshman defensemen Drew Cooper buried his first collegiate goal, while Lucas Finner, Mitch Deelstra and Justin Michaelian each tallied. Ferris State now have three players at a point-per-game or better, led by Lucas Finner's 1-3-4 mark. 

The Wildcats opened without their suspeneded superstar Griffin Loughran, but got three points (two goals) out of AJ Vanderbeck. Brandon Schultz also paicked up three points in the contest with a pair of assists. Vanderbeck leads the Cats with four points (three goals) in two games with 15 shots. Vincent de Mey also has a pair of goals for NMU.

SPECIAL TEAMS OFF TO HOT START

The Bulldog Power Play ranks #1 in the nation at 40 percent through three games. The highest finish in team history is 19th nationally. Ferris State also ranks 13th nationally in penalty kill (88.9 percent). Ferris State has been a statistical national champion in back-to-back seasons in penalty kill (2009-10 & 2010-11). Because of the start, the Bulldogs are third nationally in combined special trailing only Colgate (played one game) and Mercyhurst. Four different Bulldogs have a power play goal (Lucas Finner, Mitch Deelstra, Ethan Stewart and Jake Willets). 

STEIN NAMED TO WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER

The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team will send its first player in program history to the International Ice Hockey Federation's (IIHF) World Junior Championships as freshmen goaltender Logan Stein will represent the United States of America. Stein joins a roster of 29 players, including 26 of whom are National Hockey League (NHL) Draft Choices with 10 first-round picks. The tournament will be played at Rogers Place, which hosted the Western half of the NHL's playoff bubble, and solely hosted both conference final series' and the Stanley Cup Final. Rogers Place is home to the NHL's Edmonton Oilers.

WILLETS NAMED TO WCHA ALL-PRESEASON TEAM

Ferris State sophomore defenseman Jake Willets led Ferris State with 22 points on three goals and 19 assists with 53 shots on goal in his freshmen campaign, finishing second among returning WCHA defensemen in scoring. The media awarded Willets six votes, placing him behind Bemidji State's Elias Rosen. The Erie, Michigan native had 13 power play points, tied for third with Alaska's Chris Jandric and Bemidji State's Tommy Muck. Willets became the second consecutive freshman defensemen to lead the Bulldogs in scoring, following Cooper Zech (2018-19). Freshmen goaltender Logan Stein received a media vote for All-WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year.