BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – Noah West produced 38 saves, and Ferris State stymied Minnesota State 2-0 Friday night at Ewigleben Ice Arena in CCHA play. It was West's second career shutout for the Bulldogs.
 
The Mavericks generated several high-danger chances early, including Brian Carrabes after he shimmied through the neutral zone for a shot, then Brett Moravec on a partial breakaway.
 
Kaleb Ergang put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard at the 12:56 mark with a quick release in the low slot past goaltender Alex Tracy.
 
Still with a 1-0 edge, the Bulldogs turned the shots differential in their favor in the middle period but Tracy closed the five-hole against Tyler Schleppe on a breakaway.
 
Will Hillman patiently skated around the crease one minute into the third period for a shot, but West sprawled and lifted his left pad to make the stop. The Mavericks went on their second power play at 12:58 following a high sticking minor. Moravec hit the post in the low slot and the Bulldogs killed the penalty.
 
Jacob Bedal slapped in FSU's second goal from inside the left hash off the rush at 17:59. The Mavericks came up empty on a final power play with the net empty as the Bulldogs held on.
 
"We certainly had our opportunities," commented head coach Luke Strand. "But we gave up way too many in return. Credit to Ferris State for playing a deliberate game. All of their players stayed on script. I wish I could say the same for our group tonight. We will have to be a very determined team in game two of the series."
 
Tracy stopped 38 of 40 shots for MSU. Carrabes and Josh Groll led the Mavericks with five shots on goal apiece. Adam Eisele won 14 of 20 faceoffs and the Mavericks went 0-3 on the power play. FSU finished 0-1. The Mavericks were shut out in back-to-back games for the first time since March 1-2, 2024 (Bemidji State).
 
Minnesota State (16-7-2, 11-4-2 CCHA) meets Ferris State (8-15-2, 7-10-0 CCHA) again Saturday at 5:07 p.m. CT. The Mavericks have nine games remaining in the regular season. Second place Augustana defeated Bowling Green 1-0 in overtime. Third place Michigan Tech won against Northern Michigan 3-2.