It was a frigid Friday evening at the Mike Modano Ice Arena, where two teams squared off in a battle of resilience, strategy, and raw determination. The stage was set for a gripping contest between the MD3 Ferris State University Bulldogs and the MD2 Schoolcraft College Ocelots.
Schoolcraft strikes early
The game began with a palpable energy, and it was clear from the first puck drop that Schoolcraft College came out with a mission. Less than six minutes into the game, Ferris State’s O’Connor was called for tripping, sending Schoolcraft to the power play. The Ocelots wasted no time. A precise feed from Tripp to Elliott found the back of the net at 6:17, putting Schoolcraft on the scoreboard first.
The Ocelots weren’t content with just one goal. Midway through the period, they struck again. This time, Elliott played the role of the playmaker, assisting on Pegrum’s goal at 11:33. The Ocelots were buzzing and Ferris State had to scramble to get themselves together. With two penalties in quick succession—one for tripping and one for checking from behind—Ferris State was already feeling the weight of their mistakes. Despite the pressure, they kept their heads high, looking for an opportunity to strike back.
The second period was quieter, but Ferris State slowly began to chip away at Schoolcraft’s lead. They had struggled to generate much offense in the first, only managing six shots on goal. But early in the second, a breakthrough came. Just over two minutes into the period, Bigler for Ferris State got the puck in the perfect position and fired it past Schoolcraft’s Tykoski to cut the lead to 2-1.
Despite the momentum shift, Ferris State’s discipline continued to falter. A slashing penalty on Karn at 11:52 gave Schoolcraft another chance on the power play. However, Dandurand, Ferris State’s goaltender, was nothing short of heroic, stopping everything that came his way. His 69-save performance was truly remarkable, as he kept his team in the game despite being vastly outshot.
Schoolcraft seals the deal
The third period started with a bang—literally. Just 35 seconds in, Schoolcraft’s Tripp made his mark. A quick slap shot on a breakaway, fueled by a turnover, beat Dandurand to restore the Ocelots’ two-goal advantage, 3-1. Schoolcraft seemed to be in full control, but Ferris wasn’t done yet.
Midway through the third period, Ferris State mounted one last push. O’Connor, who had been part of the penalty trouble earlier, found himself in the right place at the right time, redirecting a pass from Guillery into the back of the net. With ten minutes remaining, the Bulldogs were back within striking distance, 3-2.
The Ocelots’ defense tightened up, and though Ferris State fired off 10 shots in the final frame, Schoolcraft’s goalie, Tykoski, held firm. Despite a few scrums and a few more penalties—on both sides—the game would end 3-2 in favor of Schoolcraft College.
The numbers game
Ferris State was outshot 69 to 22, a staggering disparity that highlighted the Ocelots’ dominance in puck possession and offensive zone time. Dandurand’s performance in net was nothing short of extraordinary, turning aside 66 shots. However, despite the Bulldogs’ best efforts, they couldn’t overcome the early deficit and the relentless attack from Schoolcraft.
For Schoolcraft, Tykoski made 20 saves and was rarely tested to the extent Dandurand was. But when called upon, he did just enough to seal the win.
A game of inches
Ultimately, it was a game of inches. Ferris State was far from outclassed, but the Ocelots capitalized on their opportunities early and held on tight when it mattered most. The Bulldogs’ ability to keep the game close was admirable, and with a little more puck luck, they could have easily tied it up in the final minutes.
As the buzzer sounded and the Ocelots skated off the ice with a hard-fought 3-2 victory, it was clear that this was a game defined by both skill and grit.
The teams would meet again, but for now, Schoolcraft had the upper hand.
