GAMEDAY CENTRAL: Ferris State Travels To Marquette To Take On Northern Michigan

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). 

FERRIS STATE VS. NORTHERN MICHIGAN: SERIES PREVIEW

Ferris State holds a 30-66-6 all-time record against the Wildcats as they meet for the third time of the 2020-21 season. Ferris State and Northern Michigan combined for 20 goals in their first two contests, but they were both one-goal finishes with an overtime dashed in. Ferris State forced the overtime on Dec. 30 with a goal in the final 40 seconds by Jason Brancheau, and was a goal post away from the same fate at NMU on Dec. 16 in the final 12 seconds. Ferris State continues to boast a balanced attack, with 11 Bulldogs up to four or more points in the first 11 games. Ferris State has continued to clip above their power play average from the last decade at 19 percent (25th nationally).

Now the two will re-hash their hotly contested season series with the Bulldogs looking for their first win in Marquette since December of 2015. Since besting the Bulldogs twice, the Wildcats have gone cold, without a win in eight games. The Wildcats have been north of two goals in that time twice and shutout three times with seven goals in eight outings, notedly against some of the nation's best defensive units including Bowling Green and Minnesota State who make up for four of the eight games.

One of the nation's top goal scorers, Griffin Loughran, has none and has played in just four games. Andre Ghantous returned after missing a stretch and scored against Michigan Tech on Tuesday at home in a 4-1 loss to the Huskies. Joseph Nardi has 11 points in 12 games to lead the Wildcats. NMU has an .872 team save percentage but has gotten better perfromances out of Nolan Kent (.902/2.97) of late. 

NORRIS AND MICHAELIAN LEAD THE PACK

Senior forward Coale Norris had eight points in an injury-washed season a year ago, and has already passed that number with nine (4-5-9) in 11 games to lead the Bulldogs following a power play goal at #2 Minnesota State on Saturday. Junior forward Justin Michaelian has an identical line, and is one point shy of his career-best 10 (last season) where he had seven goals. Six Bulldogs are within three points of the team lead, as they've had a balanced offensive attack for most of the season.

FINNER AND THE FACE-OFF DOT

Last season, then-junior forward Lucas Finner converted on just 41 percent of his faceoff attempts. This year as a senior, his draw-skills have taken a monster 18 point leap to 59.2 percent. Finner was at 42.9 percent as well during his sophomore campaign, and some off-season work appears to be playing a large role in his face-off dot turnaround.

BULLDOG MAN ADVANTAGE STAYS CONSISTENT

After a small quiet period, the Bulldog power play has rebounded nicely to rank 25th in the nation. The Bulldogs have gotten their power play goals from five different customers, though, though none have more than two goals on the man advantage. Ferris State is on pace to finish at their highest clip since 2002-03 when they had Chris Kunitz.

COMING UP

Ferris State has a Tuesday night date with the Michigan Tech Huskies inside Ewigleben Ice Arena - followed by a weekend set with the Bemidji State Beavers for a five games in eight days stretch of conference contests. The Bulldogs will also see Michigan Tech three straight times following including Tuesday, Feb. 9 at home before heading north on the 12-13 to finish off their season series with Michigan Tech for an eight games in 16 days stretch.