Northern Michigan University’s Wolfgang Govedaris, left, fires a shot early in a CCHA game played against Ferris State at the Berry Events Center in Marquette on Friday. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)

MARQUETTE — Even with a decisive shots on goal advantage, the Northern Michigan University hockey team couldn’t pull out a victory in the opener of a CCHA series against Ferris State on Friday night at the Berry Events Center.

Despite holding a 36-26 edge in those shots, the visiting Bulldogs pulled off a 3-1 victory due to superior special teams and timely goaltending.

The Wildcats (1-13-1, 0-8-1 CCHA) continued their season-long struggle to convert scoring chances despite outshooting their guests.

Ferris State goaltender Noah West turned aside 35 shots, posting a .975 saves percentage in one of his best outings of the season.

“It’s the same story, having a tough time finishing,” Wildcats head coach Dave Shyiak said after the game. “It’s not a lack of putting pucks on net and creating some chances.

“We just need a little bit more desire to get that puck in the net and give it the extra effort to find a way to get it across the goal line.”

The Wildcats opened the game with energy, dominating possession and controlling faceoffs, where they won 44 draws to Ferris’ 23. Jesse Tucker led the way, winning 20 of his 27 faceoffs.

However, it was the Bulldogs that struck first just 30 seconds in. Gavin Best capitalized on a turnover, beating NMU goaltender Ryan Ouellette to give the Bulldogs a quick 1-0 lead.

NMU pressed hard for an equalizer, earning two power-play opportunities before the game was seven minutes old, but Ferris’ penalty kill stood strong. Instead, the Bulldogs doubled their lead late in the period when Caiden Gault scored on a power play with 3:27 left.

“You can’t start games like that,” Shyiak said. “We won the draw, we got it in, we had the puck, and turned it over. We didn’t track back…. They want to break away and scored.”

The Wildcats entered the second period down 2-0 but looking to build on their first-period 16-7 shots advantage. Despite flashes of pressure, NMU went more than 10 minutes without recording a shot on goal as Ferris found its footing.

Special teams proved costly again late in the frame when Tyler Schleppe scored on the power play with just two-tenths of a second remaining, pushing the Bulldogs’ lead to 3-0.

NMU showed fight in the third, finding the back of the net with 15:41 left. Aidyn Hutchinson finished off a crisp passing play from Grayden Slipec and Jakub Altrichter for his second goal this season. Slipec notched his fourth assist and sixth point of the year, while Altrichter tallied his fifth point and assist.

The Wildcats pushed hard in the closing minutes, outshooting the Bulldogs 20-10 in the third period and pulling Ouellette for the extra attacker. Despite several quality chances, West continued to frustrate NMU’s offense.

Special teams played a decisive role in the game. Ferris State went 2 for 3 on the power play, while NMU’s power play came up empty on three chances.

Fans were treated to the Teddy Bear Toss after the first period, where stuffed animals rained down on the ice in support of local charities like The Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul.

Caden Sierra can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 551. His email address is csierra@nmu.edu.