The Standard

Issue date: 10/6/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Matt Kile

Strong fore-checking and quick goals were not enough for the Ice Bears to pull off a win as they took on the Ferris State University Bulldogs on both Friday and Saturday nights. Both nights ended in a losing effort for the Ice Bears with a 5-3 final on Friday night and 7-4 on Saturday night.

"When we had our fore-check game going, good things were happening," head coach Mike Schroeder said.

On Friday, the Ice Bears got off to a fast and physical start full of plenty of hitting and a quick goal by senior forward B.J. Norman.

After Norman's goal toward the end of the first period, the Ice Bears answered the Bulldogs by tying the score at two with a goal by senior forward David Schroeder.

Accompanying the first period's goals was physical play all over the ice, which helped set the tone for the rest of the game leading to 15 penalties throughout the game, eight of which belonging to the Ice Bears.

"I think our team fore-checked really hard: We got on them, we played the body, but we started shying away a little toward the end of the game," last season's captain and senior defenseman Salman Shah said. "Overall I think we all played well. It was a hard fought game, just a few mistakes that they capitalized on, and that can cost you a game."

The Ice Bears were given many extra-strength opportunities, especially toward the end of the game that Ferris State killed off, but the Ice Bears did light the lamp on one of those power plays for their third and final goal of the night.

"We are not moving the puck as quick as we should be," coach Schroeder said. "We need to be more aggressive in the offensive zone with our power plays."

Going into Saturday night's game against the Bulldogs, the Ice Bears looked to carry on with the physical theme and minimize the penalties.

"We have to be more disciplined." coach Schroeder said.

On Saturday night, the Ice Bears provided two quick goals in the first period by senior forward Andy Whitener and junior forward C.J. Jung, but again, penalties seemed to be a common theme.

Thirteen penalties were committed, with seven coming in the third period.

"It was difficult to climb out of the hole with all the penalties," coach Schroeder said. The Ice Bears will spend the next three weeks on the road taking on teams from St. Louis and Chicago after competing in the ACHA D-2 Showcase next weekend.

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