Oct. 13, 2006

Stats

Big Rapids, Mich. - Ferris State limited Mercyhurst to 24 shots and a third period goal by sophomore forward Mike Floyd in turning back the Lakers 7-1 Friday night in the Lakers' season-opener. The Bulldogs won for the first time in three games.

Nearly 1300 partisan fans saw Ferris State score six successive goals before Floyd tallied with just over two minutes left in the contest. The Stratford, PEI, native had help from linemates Brett Robinson and Matt Pierce.

Ferris State and Mercyhurst played scoreless hockey for nearly 15 minutes before the Bulldogs lit the lamp twice late in the first period courtesy of senior forward Zac Pearson, power play, and freshman winger Aaron Lewicki, even strength. FSU enjoyed a 14-3 advantage in shots in the opening period.

FSU freshmen forwards Cody Chupp and Casey Haines stretched the advantage to 4-0 after forty minutes with a pair of even strength goals in the second.

Senior forward Eric Vesely scored back-to-back markers in the third, power play and even strength, before Floyd provided the Lakers' only highlight of the evening. Linemates Matt Pierce and Brett Robinson assisted. Sophomore forward Brendan Connolly brought down the curtain with the evening's final lamplighter at 18:49.

Ferris State owned a 45-24 advantage in shots and converted two power play goals in six tries. The Lakers finished 0 for 10.

FSU sophomore net minder Mitch O'Keefe was the beneficiary of the Bulldogs' seven-goal attack as he picked up his first win of the season in three decisions. Mercyhurst sophomore netminder Tyler Small absorbed the season-opening setback.

Senior winger and team captain Kyle Gourgon led Mercyhurst with four shots. The game also marked the return of junior defenseman Jamie Coghlan, who missed all of last season due to injury. Coghlan hadn't played since a 5-4 setback to Boston College in Worcester, Mass. at the NCAA East Regional in March of 2005.

Ferris State, 6-3 and 5-4 winners in Erie a year ago, improved to 3-0 lifetime against the Lakers. The two teams finish the weekend pair with a 5:35 start on Saturday.