BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The Western Michigan hockey team's comeback effort fell short, falling to Ferris State 3-2 on the road on Saturday night.
 
WMU (1-1-0) got goals from Ethen Frank and Colt Conrad but FSU goalie Darren Smith made 37 saves to deny the Broncos. Western Michigan outshot the Bulldogs 39-25 on the night and 29-12 in the final two periods. The Bronco power play went 1-for-11 on the night and the penalty kill finished 4-for-4.
 
The Bulldogs struck early, just 4:58 into the first period to take a 1-0 lead. Mitch Maloney fired a shot wide and the rebound bounced off the board and out near the crease. Andrew Dorantes was there to punch in the rebound for his first goal of the season.
 
Dorantes returned the favor and flipped the puck over the WMU defense in the second period to create a breakaway for Maloney. Maloney beat Blacker to give Ferris State a 2-0 lead at 8:33
 
Frank's first collegiate goal came just 15 seconds later to cut the lead to 2-1. Lawton Courtnall poked the puck ahead to Frank and the freshman forward put a back-hander past Smith.
 
Coale Norris finished off a three-on-two rush to give FSU a 3-1 lead. The Bronco defensemen got caught up in play and rushed to get back but Norris was able to put it past Blacker while falling to the ice.
 
After a five-minute major penalty was given to Norris late in the third period, the Broncos responded with a power play goal just 10 seconds into it. Conrad punched in his second of the season from the bottom of the left circle and it got through Smith's legs to cut the lead to 3-2. Corey Schueneman and Hugh McGing both picked up assists.
 
The Broncos took a penalty to cut into their major time and were kept out of the net the rest of the game.
 
Western Michigan has a quick turnaround and hosts Bowling Green on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 1-888-4-WMUTIX and online at wmubroncos.com/tickets. The game can also be seen live on NCHC.tv and heard live on the Bronco Radio Network.