PREVIEW | GLI Central - Ferris State Hockey To Compete in 57th Annual Great Lakes Invitational in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids, Mich. - Van Andel Arena, home of the Grand Rapids Griffins (American Hockey League), will play host to the 57th Annual Great Lakes Invitational (GLI) this December 27-28 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and for the third time in tournament history, will feature the Ferris State University men's ice hockey team.

The most historic holiday tournament in college hockey is coming to Grand Rapids for the first time ever. Fans can use the GLI Central Page to find information on how to follow the Bulldogs this holiday season.

Ferris State joins #11 Michigan State, #16 Michigan Tech, #18 Western Michigan in the 2022 installment this year.

BULLDOGS RETURN TO HOME AWAY FROM HOME, VAN ANDEL ARENA

Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena is the home of three of the biggest wins in Ferris State Hockey history. In 2014, Ferris State's come-from-behind WCHA Semi-Final overtime victory over Alaska Anchorage sent the pro-Ferris crowd into a frenzy. In 2016, the Bulldogs shocked the MacNaughton Cup Co-Champions in the semi-finals (Michigan Tech) and championship (Minnesota State) with dramatic victories to go from below 30th in the pairwise to their fourth all-time NCAA Tournament Appearance. 2022's Great Lakes Invitational is Ferris State's first trip into the Freezer on Fulton since Gerald Mayhew's penalty shot conference championship winning goal against the Minnesota State Mavericks on March 19, 2016. 

SCOUTING THE GLI

Michigan State Spartans

They may have lost three of their last four, but make no mistake, the Spartans are one of the nation's most improved teams. At 12-7-1 they're not necessarily doing anything eye-popping offensively. It's all about their commitment to balance and team defense right now. Dylan St. Cyr has been one of the country's top goalies (.925 save percentage, 2.43 goals against). 10 Spartans have four or more goals in their 20 games, good for a shade over 3 goals per game for Michigan State, while they're holding opponents to a 2.60 mark ont he year. The Spartan power play has improved (20.3%) as has their penalty kill (84.7%) under first year head coach Adam Nightingale.

Western Michigan Broncos

A nemesis the Bulldogs saw back on opening weekend, the Broncos have been one of the nation's biggest surprises. They are scoring A TON (3.9 goals per game), which they've needed as they give up 3.0 goals per game on the year. National point-scoring leader Ryan McAllister (10-23-33 in 20 games) is a freshman and one of the nation's most potent players. Jason Polin has 13 goals, while Jamie Rome and D-Man Zak Galambos have nien goals each. Western Michigan has managed to outplay one of the nation's lowest team save percentages (.882) and 38th ranked team defense.

Michigan Tech Huskies

It's a tournament of surprises, and with what the Huskies graduated, many have tabbed the Huskies their largest. With a fifth ranked scoring defense and one of the best goalies in the country in Blake Pietila, the Huskies, picked to drop further than any team in the CCHA in the preseason, are in first place tied with Bemidji State. Ryland Mosley has 19 points in 19 games, while freshman Kyle Kukkonen has a 7-7-14 mark in the same amount. The Huskies get some of the nation's best goaltending (.925) between Pietila and Max Vayrynen as well.

MACLAREN WINS CCHA DEFENSEMEN OF THE WEEK

Ferris State University men's ice hockey co-captain and senior defenseman Brenden MacLaren has been named the Central Collegiate Hockey Association's (CCHA) defenseman of the week for his performance at St. Thomas on Dec. 16-17 in Mendota Heights. MacLaren had three points and was a +4, good for the best weekend amongst CCHA defensemen in both categories. The Bulldog co-captain tied for the CCHA lead in goals and game-winning goals by defensemen, had a league best seven shots on goal and blocked two shots. On Saturday, MacLaren's goal in the third period gave Ferris State their fifth win in seven games to move them alone into fifth in the CCHA headed to the holidays, ahead of two teams picked to finish ahead of them in the preseason.  The Sault Ste Marie native was a forward for the first two and a half years of his career and was converted to defenseman midway through last season, which has provided him a spark in all statistical categories as he leads all Bulldog defensemen in points.

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FAN SECTION & TICKETS

The Ferris State fan sections are 121 or 220-221. Fans should buy tickets in 121-122, 220-222 to remain near other Bulldog fans. Each ticket wearns the holder entry to one day of competition. Fans wanting to see both Ferris State games will need to buy a ticket to both days of competiton.

STUDENT SECTION

The Ferris State Student section is 120 - students must use the promo code BIGRAPIDS to unlock the tickets at a discounted rate.

General public tickets are on sale now and can be bought via ticketmaster.

CLICK TO BUY TICKETS TO TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27 VS. MICHIGAN STATE

CLICK TO BUY TICKETS TO WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28 SESSION

Students can also buy tickets at a discounted rate at the above links.

ALUMNI RECEPTION PLANNED ON-SITE

Ferris State Alums are invited to an on-site Alumni Reception at Van Andel Arena. Fans can register by CLICKING HERE.

The price is $35 per person, and fans can enjoy an all-you-care-to-eat pizza buffet and hear from a member of the Men's Hockey Coaching staff and player regarding the season and pre-game strategy. 

WEAR RED

Bulldog fans are strongly encouraged to wear red. Ferris State will wear their road red uniforms on Tuesday night vs. Michigan State.

THE PEP BAND! FERRIS STATE HOCKEY WELCOMES THE JENISON WILDCAT BAND TO JOIN THE GLI

Ferris State Hockey is proud to welcome a 2023 performer at the annual New York City Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Jenison High School Band. The Wildcats will play at the GLI on behalf of the Bulldogs. The Wildcats are actively fundraising for their trip to the Big Apple. All are welcome to contribute to the trip by CLICKING ON THIS LINK to help the Wildcats play in one of America's great traditions.