BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — In an 8-0 win for Ferris State over Bemidji State, both coaches had very differing opinions from the first game of a WCHA best-of-three quarterfinal series.
“The score, I don’t think is indicative of the game or how it was played,” said Ferris State coach Bob Daniels. “I don’t think guy in [the BSU] net [Andrew Walsh] was really on his game tonight.”
Meanwhile, Beavers’ coach Tom Serratore felt there was little good to take away from the contest.
“There wasn’t a whole of good tonight,” Serratore said. “We just have to turn the page and move on to tomorrow night’s game. We have to move on to tomorrow. We’re going to sleep on things and not make any decisions until we’ve watched some film tomorrow.”
The Bulldogs scored early and often, notching multiple goals in all three periods.
Justin Buzzeo started the scoring with his 12th goal of the season.
“G [Garrett Thompson] made a good pass [and] I was streaking down the wall and caught the goalie over and snuck it in,” said Buzzeo. “It’s huge to get on any team early and take away their momentum.”
Daniels agreed, saying, “It’s always good to get the first one, not do-or-die, but it’s important.”
Two minutes later, Kyle Schempp fired a loose puck past Walsh to double the Bulldogs’ lead.
One bright spot for the Beavers was the penalty kill, which killed all three Bulldog power plays while giving up only one shot on goal.
“The penalty kill was one spot that was good,” said Serratore.
“One shot on three power plays is a bit of a concern,” said Daniels. “The penalty kill was excellent. [Andy] Huff had a shorthanded breakaway and it generated a few chances.”
The second period was a virtual mirror of the first. Ferris State tacked on two more goals, including Buzzeo’s second of the contest, and C.J. Motte made timely saves to continue to stymie the Beavers.
Four third-period goals saw the Bulldogs double their lead yet again.
Schempp started the scoring five minutes into the period with a deflection and Cory Kane buried a chance from the top of the crease to make it a six-goal lead for the Bulldogs.
Midway through the frame came a second flurry of goals that proved to be the end of Walsh.
Kenny Babinski put his ninth of the season past Walsh just over a minute before an innocent shot from the right circle by Huff chased Walsh from the game.
“We have a mature team and know that this is unfinished business,” said Buzzeo. “If we don’t win tomorrow night, then tonight meant nothing.”
Game 2 between the Beavers (10-20-7) and Bulldogs (26-9-3) is Saturday night at 7:07 p.m. EST.
