Big Rapids, Mich. --- A second period offensive outburst by Ferris State proved to be the difference as the host Bulldogs skated to a 3-0 win over 16th-rated Minnesota State in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game played Friday in Big Rapids, Mich.

The two teams battled through a scoreless opening period before the Bulldogs broke the seal on a Corey Mackin goal when he beat Jason Pawloski stickside at 0:34. Chad McDonald tallied a power play goal on a shot that got past a screened Pawloski two minutes later as the Bulldogs found themselves owning a 2-0 advantage before the middle frame was three minutes old. A power play marker at 15:06 on a shot that Gerald Mayew tucked just underneath the cross bar made it 3-0 lead and Cole Huggins replaced Pawloski in the Minnesota State net.

The Mavericks outshot the Bulldogs by a 13-8 margin in the third period, but could not solve Darren Smith, who finished with 36 saves for the shutout. Jason Pawloski and Cole Huggins combined to stop 20 shots in the contest for the Mavericks. The two teams combined for 22 penalties and 44 penalty minutes in the contest.

Minnesota State (9-6-2, 6-5-2 WCHA) was zero-for-seven on its power play chances on the evening, while Ferris State (6-10-1, 5-6-1 WCHA) converted on two-of-seven chances with the man advantage. The Mavericks and the Bulldogs close out the two-game WCHA series Saturday with a 6:07 p.m. CST face-off scheduled.