Ferris State Hockey Suffers 4-2 Setback to Miami (Ohio) in GLI Third Place Game

Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Ferris State University men's ice hockey team played its final game of 2025 Monday (Dec. 29) and suffered a 4-2 setback to Miami (Ohio) University at the Great Lakes Invitational (GLI).

The Bulldogs (4-16-0, 3-9-0 CCHA) got a late goal from Max Itagaki to bring the game back within one goal at 3-2, but the RedHawks hit an empty-net goal in the final seconds to clinch a victory. Jacob Badal also scored his first goal of the season in the loss.

David Deputy put the RedHawks up 1-0 with his fifth goal of the season at 7:07 in the first period. Deputy scored unassisted.

Badal scored his first goal of the season at 17:14 to tie the game 1-1 for FSU. Max Dukovac passed from center ice to Connor McGrath down the right-wing side who skated into the zone and fired a pass to Badal in the low slot. Badal tipped the pass past Mathis Langevin for his first point of the year. McGrath got his fifth of the year on the play and Dukovac got his third.

Maximilion Helgeson put the RedHawks up 2-1 with a goal at 2:01 in the second. Ryder Thompson and Vladislav Lukashevic assisted.

Thompson scored his first collegiate goal to put Miami (Ohio) up 3-1 at 6:20. Bradley Walker and Casper Nassen assisted.

Itagaki brought the Bulldogs back within one goal with his fourth of the season at 15:59. He skated through center ice and passed to Gavin Best on the left-wing side who then fired a pass back to Itagaki in the low slot for the finish. Xavier Jean-Louis also collected an assist on Itagaki's goal. Itagaki, Best and Jean-Louis all picked up their second point of the series on the play.

The Bulldogs pulled starting goaltender Hobie Hedquist late for the extra attacker, but Emerson Goode was whistled for a slash at 17:48. FSU kept the extra attacker on the ice but skated five-on-five with the penalty to Goode.

Deputy scored an empty-net goal at 19:43 to seal Miami (Ohio)'s win. Ethan Hay was credited with an assist.

For the game, Hedquist made 18 saves on 21 shots faced. Langevin made his collegiate debut and earned a win with 30 saves. Goode, Riley Wallack, Carter Rapalje and Jack Mesic each had four shots on goal and Josh Zary led the team with 11 faceoff wins.

The Bulldogs had 30 shots on goal compared to 22 for the RedHawks. FSU was 0-3 on the power play and Miami (Ohio) was 1-5. The Bulldogs blocked 15 shots with a team-high three going to Valtteri Piironen.

Ferris State will return to CCHA play this weekend with a road series against St. Thomas. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:07 p.m. (ET) for Friday's (Jan. 2) game with live coverage provided on Sunny 97.3 FM. Fans can watch the video stream via pay-per-view on Midco Sports Plus.