The Ferris State Bulldogs split two games this past weekend against the Bowling Green State Falcons, walking away with a win and a loss.

The Bulldogs improved their record to 14-13-5 overall and 11-11-4 in Central Collegiate Hockey Association play. With the win, the Bulldogs clinched home ice in the opening-round of the 2008 CCHA Playoffs.

Ferris State defeated the Falcons on Friday night with Justin Lewandowski scoring the game winner late in the second period during an even strength four-on-four. The game was the opener of a two-game CCHA series at BGSU Ice Arena in Bowling Green Ohio.

Freshman goalie Patrick Nagle showcased another fine performance stopping 25 shots from the Falcons.

“We hope to continue our good play based on defense and discipline,” Bulldogs head coach Bob Daniels said. “The players continue to work hard both in practice and the weight room.”

The Bulldogs took the first lead of the game with freshman center Justin Menke notching his sixth goal of the season with a wrist shot from the right wing after receiving a pass from sophomore left winger Blair Riley.

Menke started the play after he picked up the puck near the boards and fired a shot off of Falcon goaltender Nick Eno. The puck bounced off Eno and onto the stick of sophomore right winger Cody Chupp, then deflected to Riley who slid it over to Menke for the goal.

Bowling Green was able to tie the game late in the first period when Todd McIlrath slammed home a rebound off of a shot from Derek Whitmore. The two teams combined for 27 shots throughout the first period of play.

Lewandowksi put the Bulldogs ahead for the last time late in the second period as senior centerman Adam Miller wrapped the puck around the net where it ricocheted off of Eno’s pads to Lewandowksi who hit his mark to put his team ahead by one.

The Bulldogs outshot the Falcons 20-6 in the period and 41-26 in the game as Lewandowski and Nagle both earned star of the game recognition.

Powerplays haunted the Falcons as they went 0-for-6 in the game. The Bulldogs missed two man advantage opportunities but managed to come out on top.

Bowling Green and Ferris State entered the game tied for sixth place in league standings but the win put the Bulldogs ahead by two points.

The Falcons rebounded the next night with a come from behind win after going down by one goal in the opening period.

The loss broke a six-game unbeaten streak for the Bulldogs and pulls their league record to an even .500 with 11 wins and losses.

The Bulldogs picked up an early lead with freshman left winger Mike Fillinger scoring his seventh goal of the season on a short-handed opportunity. Fillinger skated down the ice and drove hard to the shortside of the net and put the puck behind Eno’s stickside. The play began when sophomore center Aaron Lewicki took a slapshot which missed and bounced off the boards and onto Fillinger’s stick where he fired it into the net.

Both teams received scoring opportunities in the second period but were unable to finish as the Falcons recorded 12 shots to the Bulldogs' 11.

Ferris State was able to hold onto the lead until the third period where BGSU’s John Mazzei was able to put the puck behind senior goaltender Mitch O’Keefe, tying the game at one.

Mazzei scored again with under three minutes left to go in the game off of a wrist shot from between the hash marks to put the Falcons ahead by one. The Bulldogs were outshot 34-23 in the game.

The Bulldogs were nationally- nineteenth ranked this week after last weekend sweep of the nationally-second ranked Miami (Ohio) Redhawks.

“Although we’re happy to be recognized and ranked at this point of the season our overall goal remains the same; host in the first round of the playoffs, finish as high up in the standings as possible and go deep into the playoffs. The only effect that the rankings have is that we are on the right course at the moment,” Daniels said.

Ferris State ends the 2007-08 regular season next weekend as they battle against nationally top-ranked Michigan Wolverines in a home-and-home series.

The first game will be played at Michigan’s Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Wolverines will travel to Big Rapids, Mich. the next night to take on the Bulldogs at Ewigleben Arena.

Ferris State will be honoring their seven senior members of the hockey team as part of the annual Senior Night contest.

The Wink arena was packed with students anxious to watch the Lady Bulldogs knock out the visiting Grand Valley State Lakers Saturday evening. The Lady Dawgs emerged from the locker room with “Not Today” painted across their black warm up shirts.

Unfortunately at the end of a tough 40 minutes it was the Lakers saying “Not Today” as they defeated the Bulldogs 69-62.

The Lakers loaded up on spinach before the game and were able to find open lanes and drive the basketball as the defense was weakened without All-American senior center Rachel Folcik, out due to injury.

“We struggled early, putting points onto the board. We couldn’t rely on her [Folcik] to make big plays, or give us a lift and she’s a confidence booster,” head coach Tracey Dorrow said.

The Lady Bulldogs trailed the entire game but continued to battle, it was almost as if the Bulldogs’ hoop was from a carnival as good looks turned into missed points in the first half.

“They [GVSU] played really well in the first half, they got their hands on the ball, we had a lot of great shots that didn’t fall, and we needed a sense of passion in first half,” Dorrow said.

The Bulldogs trailed the entire first half, going down by as much as 13, giving the small group of Lakers something to cheer about, louder than the entire Ferris student section.

The second half began with the Lakers in control but the Bulldogs continued to attack, and were able to cut the Laker lead to single digits. This gave the Dawg Pound something to cheer about.

The loud atmosphere really helped the Lady Dawgs. “The more the crowd got into the game, the more it got us in the game,” Dorrow said.

Junior guard Teghan Thelen’s three pointer from beyond the arch got the Wink Arena full of 1,640 fans rocking as the Bulldogs cut the Lakers lead to two, 51-49 with 7:39 remaining.

The Lakers didn’t allow themselves to become shaken and quickly responded with a drive inside for an easy lay-up, and soon went back up by 10 points.

The Bulldogs were able to chip away at the Lakers, as senior Sam Johns made a three from well beyond the arch to pull the Lady Dawgs within five, 63-58, with 47 seconds remaining. But it wasn’t enough as the Lakers were sent to the free throw line, in hopes of the Dawgs to get the ball back.

The Bulldogs were led by Thelen who finished with a team-high 16 points. Freshman guard Becci Houdek added 10 points, six assists and three rebounds. And freshman Tiara Adams finished with nine points and three rebounds in 16 minutes of action.

The Saginaw Valley Cardinals were able to upset the Bulldogs on Thursday night as the visiting Bulldogs fell 65-63 to the lower ranked Cardinals.

The game began close as both teams jockeyed for the lead, but it was the Bulldogs who proved dominant and went up by as much as 13, 28-15, after junior forward Jenna Guay made a lay-up with 8:36 remaining.

The Bulldogs rolled for the remainder of the half and went into the locker room with a comfy 10 point lead.

The second half began similar to the end of the first half, but the Cardinals got hot and reclaimed the lead after Kara Kinzer made a three pointer to put the Cardinals up by one. The Cardinals remained in the lead for the remainder of the half.

Houdek was able to tie the score at 63 with 22 seconds remaining, but the Cardinals’ LaTille Ross grabbed the win for the home team as she recorded the game winning lay-up with four seconds on the clock.

The Bulldogs were led by Guay with 15 points. Thelen added 11 points and junior center Ashley Fleming chipped in 10 points along with nine rebounds.

The Bulldogs travel to Northwood Saturday for the GLIAC Tournament Quarterfinals.

Wink Arena was the place to be on Saturday, Feb. 23, as a record breaking 2,430 spectators saw the first ever televised game with rival Grand Valley State University.

Bulldog senior forward C.J. Van Wieren, playing in his final home game, was the star of the show, scoring a season high 16 points. The Lakers persistent field goal shooting, quick defense and dominating paint presence however, illustrated why they are ranked number one in the country.

Grand Valley State’s 27 free throw attempts, compared to Ferris State’s six attempts, proved to be the difference for Grand Valley in their 81-67 victory.

The Bulldogs and Lakers traded lead changes throughout the first half. Ferris State was able to build up an eight point lead with four minutes left, but the Lakers reeled them back in and went up by two at half time.

Success from the floor proved to be the turning point in the second half. The Lakers finished strong on a 14-7 run in the last six minutes and also hit 88 percent of their free throw shots. The Bulldogs shot 48 percent from the field and 29 percent from the three point line to go along with 32 points in the paint.

Four of Ferris State’s five starters finished the game in double figures. The Bulldogs were led by Van Wieren, freshman center Justin Keenan, freshman guard Bryan Pasciak and freshman forward DeJuan Wright. To go along with Van Wieren’s 15 points, he grabbed three rebounds and dished out four assists while playing 33 minutes.

Keenan grabbed three rebounds, hit 66 percent from the field in 25 minutes while scoring 13 points. Pasciak had 66 percent from the field with three buckets coming from behind the arc. Pasciak grabbed three rebounds and had three assists while playing 32 minutes. Wright scored 11 points, while grabbing five rebounds and dishing four assists.

The Lakers were led by guard Jason Jamerson and forward Pete Trammell. Jamerson was 10-11 from the free throw line on his way to 29 points, four rebounds and 37 minutes. Trammell scored 14 points and six rebounds while playing 30 minutes.

On Thursday, Feb. 21, Ferris State headed east to University Center, Mich., to play host Saginaw Valley State University. Ferris State took the first lead of the game, but never got a chance to lead again. The Cardinals built a 10 point lead throughout the first half and 14 point lead in the second half leading to a 79-66 victory.

Ferris State dominated with 28 points in the paint and 14 bench points while Saginaw Valley State countered with 16 second chance points and 16 points off Bulldog turnovers. The Bulldogs shot 66 percent from the free throw line, 49 percent from the field and 43 percent from the three point line.

Ferris State once again had four players score in double figures. The Bulldogs were led by Van Wieren, Keenan, Pasciak and freshman guard Darien Gay. Van Wieren scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Keenan and Pasciak both scored 12 points a piece. Keenan grabbed one rebound while playing 31 minutes and Pasciak grabbed five rebounds while playing 38 minutes. Gay scored 11 points while playing 26 minutes.

Saginaw Valley State was led by forward Lawrence Ross and guard Mario Mackey. Ross scored 19 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had four assists, while Mackey scored 17.

The Bulldogs graduate one senior and look to build heading into next year's season with the freshman power used this season. With two upperclassmen left, this season’s freshman class will look to score points and handle the ball heading into Ferris State’s future success.

The Ferris State Men’s Hockey team is on an absolute roll as of late.

It seems all of a sudden our hockey team, that was riding around in the middle of the pack just a month ago, is defeating the top teams in the country and looking to make a playoff run reminiscent of the year they took the Central Collegiate Hockey Association title.

I’m not sure what happened. I’ve been covering hockey this entire season and in my mind the Bulldogs weren’t looking to accomplish much this year.

It seemed like a young team looking to build and become a contender down the road, but then something happened.

All of a sudden someone lit a fire under the team and it went from a losing streak to a nationally- ranked hockey club.

It lost to Alaska-Fairbanks, then to the Northern Michigan Wildcats, then the Western Michigan Broncos. Needless to say, January was a bad month.

Then it hit. The Bulldogs traveled to Notre Dame, Ind., and defeated the Fighting Irish, one of the top ranked teams in the country. Is that just the way hockey goes or was it the true talent of a hockey team flashing its ability?

I figured it was a fluke, or maybe Notre Dame had a bad game, or maybe the bounces were just going the Bulldogs way.

It didn’t really matter since the next weekend the team was taking on nationally-second ranked Miami-Ohio. The week before Miami played Michigan, in what many people considered the matchup of the season.

Michigan was ranked second and Miami first. It was the battle of the heavyweights with all eyes of the hockey world watching. Michigan was able to walk away with a win, while the Redhawks settled for a loss and a tie.

Then a crazy thing happened. That thing that can only happen in sports. I don’t believe anyone saw it coming except for maybe Ferris State's head coach Bob Daniels.

Nationally second ranked Miami traveled to Big Rapids, Mich. to take on the Bulldogs in a series the team was sure to win.

Everything was in Miami's favor. It had the better team, better goaltending and better defense. Its record spoke for itself. It is the top scoring team in the country, I mean, if I wasn’t a broke college student I would have bet my life savings that Miami was going to win, and I would have lost.

In dramatic fashion, my beloved team swept the Redhawks in a two game series.

The top scoring team in the nation was held to one goal by freshman goalie Patrick Nagle.

What, where, who, are you joking? This was my response after witnessing defenseman Scott Wietecha blow a slapshot passed the Redhawks goalie with less than three minutes left in the game to put the Bulldogs ahead and complete the sweep.

All of a sudden Ferris State went from a mediocre team to a top contender in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Eyebrows were raised and the Bulldogs were in the spotlight.

The small town of Big Rapids just witnessed its hockey team do something amazing. How did it happen?

Is this the potential of our hockey team? Did these guys just actually do this? Is this the true ability of the Ferris State Bulldogs, or was it just a fluke weekend? These are questions I want answers too.

This team went unbeaten in six games. It defeated two of the top ranked teams in the country in two weeks. Wietecha was a named CCHA defenseman of the week and that freshman goalie Nagle is playing like a seasoned veteran.

Our hockey at Ferris State University just got a little more exciting. All of a sudden we have a reason to watch, we have a reason to pack into Ewigleben Arena wearing our crimson and gold, we have a reason to cheer.

The season’s almost over, one more regular season series and then it’s the playoffs. Guess who’s left to play against. Yup, you got it, nationally top ranked Michigan Wolverines, the best team in the nation.

The Bulldogs face off against the Wolverines in a home and home series this coming weekend. Friday’s game will be played in Ann Arbor, Mich. with Saturday’s game will be right here in Big Rapids, Mich. at Ewigleben.

It’s time for our hockey team to prove to itself and to us that it is a contender. That when folks talk about college hockey the Bulldog’s name should not be left out. This will prove we are a division I hockey club.

I’m not sure what’s going to happen. I’m still riding this rollercoaster that my hockey team put me on. I can tell you one thing though, I’m not ready to get off that ride.

I will be there on Saturday wearing my crimson and gold, cheering for my team as they set out to prove their validity in the CCHA.

If you asked me a month ago whether or not the Bulldogs could beat the Wolverines my answer would have been no. Ask me today and my answer is absolutely.

The answers to all questions will be decided this weekend in a two-game series.

One thing stands true no matter what. Regardless of this coming weekend, come Monday I’ll still be a fan of Ferris State hockey. That will never change.

So take that ice and give em’ hell boys. Give them everything you got and leave nothing on the ice. Show them how hockey’s played at Ferris State University.

My boyfriend Chris and I donned our white shirts and headed to the women’s basketball game an hour and a half before tip-off was scheduled. We walked into Wink Arena ready to put on the white T-shirts that were to be awarded to the first 700 fans that entered the arena, and cheer our little hearts out.

Besides no one knowing what we were talking about when we got to the arena when we asked for shirts, everyone seemed slightly discombobulated on why a school with colors crimson and gold was encouraging everyone to be wearing white.

We put our stuff down at the media table, but opted for the stands just before game time so we could partake in what we thought would be similar to the U of M or MSU student section.

Instead, our student section was out cheered by the Laker blue crew of 20 some people, and remained seated and mostly silent for the entire women’s game. There was no jumping, and no organized cheers besides the occasional "F-S-U."

There was more crimson, gold, and other colors than white. It wasn’t until half time that the T-shirts were released to the students, which resulted in a mass storm up the bleachers, followed by pushing and shoving.

We were still waiting for shirts when the women’s second half began, and no one realized it until it was pointed out that five minutes had fallen off the clock.

We never stood up in the second half to jump up and down, granted we would stomp and yell defense, but standing up resulted in the people behind us telling us to sit down. I know for a fact if you sat down in the Maize Craze, or the Izzone and it wasn’t half time, you would be yelled at.

I also know sitting down in the Dawg Pound at hockey games during a period results in you being mocked and dragged to your feet by the people around you.

I’m slightly disappointed that the small group of Laker fans was able to out cheer the entire Ferris side of the arena. Granted it’s easier to cheer when shots fall, and it's your team penetrating the basket, but even when I suggested doing a rally cheer with five minutes remaining I was met with blank stares.

Our Lady Dawgs played well, and if half the shots that bounced around the rim actually fell, I believe they would have won. It was a heck of a season, that few fans watched.

Maybe one of the reasons our fans were so flat in the beginning of the game was because few had actually attended a game. I know there were a couple people behind me that were lost on what happened and what was going on.

I suggest that we pick up where we left off with the encouragement of Fill the Wink and offer incentives for basketball games. Then maybe next year when the Bulldogs defeat the Lakers the entire student section will be on its feet cheering.

Detroit head coach Jim Leyland has already told the media and basically all of Detroit that the Tigers are not the team to beat, they will do well but don’t start thinking about the World Series yet.

The 2006 boys were able to sneak up on every team they played and surprised the entire city of Detroit for leading the majors in wins, ERA, hits, runs, etc. These boys have targets on their backs, and according to Leyland, they have swagger.

The 2008 Tigers are made up of more Marlins than they are cats, which may have something to do with president and general manager Dave Dombrowski being with the Florida Marlin organization before Tigers’ owner Mile Ilitch brought him aboard.

The Detroit News beat writers are already dubbing the 2008 batting order as “Murderous Row” with center fielder Curtis Granderson, second baseman Placido Polanco, right fielder Magglio Ordonez, and newly acquired third baseman Miguel Cabrera all hitting over .300 last season.

Leyland has told the Detroit News over and over to chill out over his players and while they may look good on paper, they have to play a game to see how it all comes together.

My guess is the wins come together but I don’t think we’ll be seeing the players messing around in the dugout, chewing gum and spitting it out trying to make it stick to the ceiling.

No, these players are all past their rookie years, have seen friends traded for new players, and are making more money so they no longer have to share apartment rent.

These players have come close to playing in the World Series, missed playoffs last year, and according to the over eager Detroit News writers, are hungry for another shot at the World Series.

Great, only it won’t be the same. I think Detroit was so stoked about the 2006 season because we watched the players struggle for so long in our backyards. We had our Tigers to root for. Now we have caught a Marlin and made him your Tiger.

Excellent.

I already whined, complained, stomped and had a temper tantrum a couple weeks ago about Cabrera stealing, yes stealing, Inge’s spot, leaving Inge in limbo about if he is a Tiger or if he will be traded. So, I won’t bore you with it again.

I do find the whole “Who’s Your Tiger?” campaign depressing. People become attached to a player and then go into mourning when he is traded. I know several people that took the dramatics to the extreme and wouldn’t eat for several days after former left fielder Craig Monroe was traded.

I understand baseball is a business, and teams are under a lot of pressure to become competitive. Now after the Tigers had their first competitive season since the 1990s Dombrowski is doing whatever it takes to make a one season wonder the new standard.

The standard is now similar to the New York Yankees, win or go home. Hit or ride the pine pony, field like your life depends on it or you can go back down to triple A ball.

Detroit is no longer the laughing stock of baseball, no longer referred to as “stinky” in movies, and are walking around with swagger.

Yes, 2008 is supposed to be a great season, on paper, and the Tigers are a great team, on paper. I look forward to seeing the newly acquired Tigers do what they did as Marlins, because if they don’t perform, Dombrowski will release them back to the wild.

When it comes to college sports on campus many people don’t know the excitement in club sports. Club sports become very competitive for the teams fighting for top spot in their respective leagues. Ferris State has many club sports that participate in one or both of the semesters. Participating in club sports is a great way to get out and meet people from Ferris State and other universities.

Ferris State Club Baseball participates in the Great Lakes North Division. The Bulldogs join Central Michigan, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwood and Western Michigan to complete one of the 12 divisions. Ferris State heads down to Florida over spring break to open up their season while playing five different opponents. The Bulldogs host Central Michigan for their home season opener and three game weekend series on Friday, Mar. 21.

“We have a lot of young talent this year but I emphasize the talent. We should be able to do extremely well in the conference and if we can get a couple of kinks worked out and play consistently then we should be able to make a run in the playoffs as well,” said first baseman Josh Pyles. For more information on Ferris State Club Baseball go to leaguelineup.com/ferrisstatebaseball.

Both men’s and women’s Ferris State Rugby teams traveled to Kalamazoo, Mich. on Saturday, Feb. 16 to take part in Snowball. Snowball consists of colleges from Michigan participating in a round robin style tournament. Ferris State Men’s Rugby A and B teams finished the tournament first and third respectively receiving plaques. The spring season consists of tournaments and rebuilding, fall is the competitive season.

“Rugby has allowed me to travel across Michigan and the Midwest and visit a lot of different campuses. I have already seen our team transform from a social club to a club that continually contends in the Michigan Union. I owe a lot of that credit to the guys’ commitment of working hard during off days and their enthusiasm to learn and play the game.” said team captain Brian Niedzwiecki. For more information on rugby, go to ferrisrugby.com.

Ferris State Club Lacrosse looks to continue its success from last season where they won the CCLA-B North Division championship. The Bulldogs join Calvin College, Grand Valley State, Hope College, Saginaw Valley State, Northern Michigan and Michigan-Dearborn to create the Division II North. Ferris State hosts Michigan-Dearborn in its home and division opener on Saturday, Mar. 29 at 7 p.m.

“The team has many returning starters coming back and a few promising rookies heading into the season. We look strong on the attack and have high hopes for regaining a spot in the playoffs. Currently the team doesn’t have a coach but thanks to our heavy hitters on defense, we can compete for a top national ranking,” said defenseman Andy McInerney. The Web site ferris.edu/lacrosse) is where you can find more information on the men’s lacrosse team.

Ferris State Club Dawgs are starting their Division II hockey playoffs this week. The Bulldogs finished the season with 6-19-1 record after games had to be forfeited due to ineligibility. One of the Club Dawgs highlights came on Dec. 6 when number one ranked Grand Valley State University stepped into Ewigleben Arena. The Bulldogs and Lakers skated to a 2-2 tie after regulation. With just under three minutes left in overtime, Ferris State scored to knock off the top team in the country.

“The team has really gathered together this year, especially with so many new players and everyone has really stepped up and come over a lot of adversity from last year. It’s playoffs this weekend and we're all pulling on the same chain, anything can happen,” said center Clayton Gallup. For more information on the Bulldogs hockey team, go to ferrisstateclubhockey. homestead.com.

Hopefully with this information, more students will be in attendance at club sporting events this spring. For more information on club sports at Ferris State University, check out their Web sites or head to the student recreation center.

Michael Vidal Named Head Golf Professional at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Creighton Farms
Michael Vidal, a graduate of Ferris State’s Professional Golf Management program with a degree in Marketing, received a job at the Ritz- Carlton Golf Club, Creighton Farms, in Aldie Virginia.

Vidal will oversee all golf operations while managing the Creighton Farms golf experience at the stunning new Jack Nicklaus Signature Design Golf Course that opens for members in April, in addition to organizing the gold shop and supervising the operation of the year round teaching facility in the Golf House in the exclusive residential community.

Women’s Tennis
The Lady Dawgs lost 5-4 to Albion College on Friday. For details on the match see ferris.edu/ sports.

Men’s Tennis
Ferris men’s tennis defeated Indianapolis 8-1 on Sunday. The Bulldogs went undefeated in the singles round and went two for three in the doubles to take their second consecutive win in the season.