Spartans Shut Down by No. 15/14 Ferris State

Oct. 31, 2014

EAST LANSING, Michigan - The Michigan State hockey team outshot Ferris State, 36-16, on Friday night at Munn Ice Arena, but couldn't solve goaltender CJ Motte as the No. 15/14 Bulldogs escaped with a 1-0 win. Motte stopped all 36 shots sent his way, including 18 in the second period alone.

"That's a tough pill to swallow," MSU head coach Tom Anastos said. "I liked our effort; I thought we were ready to play, but I thought we were a little tentative to start. I think we relaxed more in the second and third periods and did a lot of good things. We did everything but what you need to do to win the game."

The lone goal of the game came at the 8:33 mark of the first period when Jared VanWormer scored his first of the year. Matt Robertson forced a turnover down low behind the MSU net and fed VanWormer in the slot, who beat netminder Jake Hildebrand up high.

After creating a good amount of chances in the first period, the Spartans furthered their pressure on the Bulldogs in the second, but again came away empty. MSU outshot FSU, 18-2, in the stanza, which was played mostly in the Bulldog end.

Matt DeBlouw's breakaway attempt and Michael Ferrantino's chance from the low slot were two of the Spartans' best scoring opportunities of the second period, but neither materialized.

"We certainly had plenty of quality scoring chances - enough to win the game - and we couldn't capitalize," Anastos said. "I thought Hildy played a very good game. That's a tough game to play in and he made some good saves at the right times.

"We have to keep moving forward because there was a lot in our game tonight that showed the kind of progress we're looking for."

MSU killed a pair of penalties in the third period and still managed to carry the play for the majority of the frame, outshooting FSU 9-7.

Hildebrand finished with 15 saves.

The Spartans (1-4) will look for a series split tomorrow night when the two teams meet again at Munn Ice Arena at 7 p.m.