The Chargers could not overcome the penalties, thus could not overcome the Bulldogs in a 4-1 loss in Big Rapids, Mich., on Saturday night.
Ferris State (10-9-5 overall, 8-7-3 WCHA) took three of four points in the series from UAH (5-16-3 overall, 3-12-3 WCHA), which find itself still five points behind eighth-place Alaska for the final WCHA playoff spot. UAH is three points behind Alaska Anchorage for ninth place, and the Chargers head to Anchorage on Jan. 29-30 after a bye week.
UAH was outshot 38-21 on Saturday after being outshot 49-21 in Friday’s 3-3 tie.
Also, the penalty bug continued from Friday into Saturday. UAH managed to survive eight Ferris State power plays Friday, but continued to give the Bulldogs chances with nine power play opportunities, including six in the first period alone.
On their third power play, the Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead at 13:21 as Simon Denis put back a rebound on an open net following a Brandon Parker tripping penalty.
UAH committed five penalties for 21 minutes — the big one being on Brennan Saulnier, whose contact to the head of Chad McDonald left the Ferris State winger down for a few minutes. Saulnier got a five minute major and a game misconduct at the 14:29 mark.
The Chargers killed the major power play thanks to interruptions by two Ferris State penalties. During those 4-on-4 periods, the Chargers were able to exude some pressure in the Bulldog end, but could not find the equalizer.
In the end of the first, FSU had another big shots advantage at 14-6.
UAH tied the game in the second on a power play of its own. Following a 3-on-1 rush, Josh Kestner received a pass in the slot from Kurt Gosselin, beating FSU goaltender Darren Smith for his fifth goal of the season. Gosselin notched his sixth assist.
Ferris State pulled ahead with two late second-period goals. With 5:29 left in the period, Tyler Andrew deflected a Sean O’Rourke blast from the left point to beat Carmine Guerriero to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead.
Then with 46 seconds remaining, Brandon Anselmini scored in front to make it 3-1 Bulldogs.
The final straw was on yet another Charger penalty in the third period. Gosselin was called for hooking at 5:37, and McDonald scored on the resulting power play — the Bulldogs’ ninth of the game — at 7:34 for the final 4-1 score.
Guerriero finished with 34 saves on the night. Smith had 20 saves for the Bulldogs.