Grand Rapids, Mich.  ---   #15 Minnesota State scored first, but could not build on the lead, eventually falling to Ferris State, 2-1, in the WCHA Final Five championship game in Grand Rapids, Mich., Saturday.
 
Senior defenseman Jon Jutzi took a shot from the point with the Mavericks on a power play and senior forward Bryce Gervais got his stick on it in deflecting it past Darren Smith in giving Minnesota State the game's first goal
 
The goal is a team-best 16^th of the year for Gervais and now with 67 career goals, moves the Battleford, Sask., native into a tie for second on the school's career list for its NCAA DI-era, Jesse Rooney (MSU 1991-2001) also had 67 goals and Shane Joseph (1999-2004) 68 career markers.
 
Defenseman Brandon Anselmini ripped a shot over Cole Huggins' right shoulder with Ferris State on a power play at 14:55 and the two teams entered the locker room tied 1-1 at the end of the initial 20 minutes of action.
 
Near the end of the second period, FSU forward Gerald Mayhew converted on a penalty shot attempt when he ladled a shot past Huggins high on the glove side and the Bulldogs held a 2-1 advantage after two periods of play.
 
Mayhew's goal stood up as the game-winner as neither team was able to score in the final period of action.
 
Ferris State owned a 29-14 advantage in shots on goal in the game, marking the first time all year that the Mavericks have been outshot in back-to-back games. The 14 shots on goal for Minnesota State were a season low.
 
Huggins ends the season with 13-10-2 won-loss record on the year.
 
The Mavericks, who were making their third consecutive appearance in the WCHA Final Five championship game, went one-for-four in power plays in the game, while Ferris State finished with a one-for-five ledger with the man advantage.
 
Minnesota State finishes the year with a 21-13-7 record.

Mike Hastings commented following the game.



 
                       
- 30 -