Ferris State Ties Michigan 2-2 in a Thriller

The game between #3 Michigan and #4 Ferris State lived up to the high expectations many had coming into the game, providing one of the more entertaining non-conference games in college hockey this season. At the end of 65 hard-fought minutes, the two teams skated away with a 2-2 tie.

Ferris State controlled play for much of the first period. They struck first when Kyle Schempp kept the puck on a 2-on-1 and snuck a backhander past Zach Nagelvoort at 13:06 of the first period. But Wolverines caught a lucky break 1:20 later when Andrew Copp attempted a pass from behind the Ferris State net that deflected off a Ferris State defender and past goalie CJ Motte. Ferris State outshot Michigan 14-4 in the first period, but Nagelvoort made some outstanding saves for Michigan to keep the score tied at one.

Alex Guptill put the Wolverines in the lead just 38 seconds into the second period when he fired a quick wrist shot past Motte off a Ferris State turnover. The score would remain 2-1 in Michigan's favor until deep into the third period, when Ferris State defenseman Brandon Anselmini wristed a shot from the point past a screened Nagelvoort to tie the game with just 5:44 to play in regulation.

After a fairly slow, grinding third period, the pace really picked up once Ferris State tied the game, with action moving up and down the ice quickly, and both teams having quality chances to take the lead. But neither team was able to add a third goal, and the final result ended in a tie. Both goalies were outstanding. Michigan's Nagelvoort finished with 29 saves on 31 shots, while Motte finished with 28 saves on 30 shots.

Ferris State is now 13-2-3 on the season, and unbeaten in their last 14 games. Michigan's record moves to 10-2-2 on the year.