Welcome to Hockey season

BIG RAPIDS, Mich.-- A quick early start in front of an energized home crowd fueled No. 9 Ferris State men's ice hockey to a thrilling 4-3 victory against the No. 8 Wolverines on opening night Saturday before a sellout crowd inside the Ewigleben Ice Arena.

The Bulldogs struck only 27 seconds in the opening frame when sophomore Kyle Schempp broke free and scored in front of FSU's frenzied "Dawg Pound" student section off assists from junior Matt Robertson and senior Jason Binkley.

Ferris State kept its foot on the gas when sophomore Chad McDonald lit the lamp at even-strength off a helper from junior forward Kenny Babinski just 1:03 into the contest.

Ferris State increased its edge to three goals late in the opening period when freshman Mitch Maloney recorded his first career goal on the power play go give FSU a 3-0 lead before the start of the second period. The goal was assisted by defenseman Ryan Lowney and senior goaltender CJ Motte.

The Bulldogs' three-goal lead did not last long into the second period as Michigan notched its first goal of the campaign only 10 seconds in when sophomore forward Tyler Motte tallied his first goal of the year on his brother, FSU goaltender CJ Motte. JT Compher picked up the assist on Motte's goal for the Wolverines.

Ferris State, though, scored a critical and eventual game-winning goal with only 1:04 left in the middle period as McDonald recorded his second goal of the night with a short-handed tally off a Babinski feed. 

Michigan fought back in the third period with a pair of goals to trim the Bulldog advantage to a single goal. Travis Lynch scored 3:45 into the period at even-strength off assists from Justin Selman and Zach Werenski. 

Then, with only five minutes to play in the game, the Wolverines pulled within 4-3 when Evan Allen found the back of the net off assists from Brennan Serville and Cristoval Nieves. 

Michigan finished with a 37-31 edge in total shots against the Bulldogs, but Ferris State tallied the game's lone power-play goal as FSU finished one-of-three and UM was held scoreless in two chances with the man-advantage.

Overall, the Wolverines were called for seven penalties totaling 14 minutes in the box with the Bulldogs whistled six times for 12 minutes in the sin bin.

By virtue of his two goals, McDonald claimed the game's first star while Schempp picked up the second and Maloney brought home the third.

Motte made 34 saves in net for the Bulldogs in picking up his 49th career victory while Michigan's Zach Nagelvoort totaled 27 saves in the losing effort for the Wolverines.