Game Time: Ferris State vs. Union-Frozen Four Semifinal

The narrative throughout the week leading up to the first game of the Frozen Four has been the "David and Goliath" one. Little Union and little Ferris State matching up, waiting to take on the winner of heavyweights Boston College and Minnesota. But Union and Ferris State are no pushovers, although some have derisively labeled this game the "junior circuit." No such thing.

We took a look at the competition earlier--and Ferris State is a good opponent. The Bulldogs often mirror the Dutchmen, except for school size. Ferris State University, of Big Rapids, Michigan, enrolls 14,581. Head Coach Bob Daniels, along with Rick Bennett, was a Spencer Penrose Award nominee. Daniels, in fact, won the award for  NCAA Division I coach of the year. (Nate Leaman won last year for Union). Ferris State boasts a lock-down defense and a very good, baby faced goaltender who dominated in the second half of the season. Taylor Nelson, who split time with CJ Motte, has a 2.10 GAA and .923 SV%. The CCHA team has eight players with 20 points or more on the season. Jordie Johnston leads the way with 20 goals and 16 assists. The Bulldogs don't have quite the high octane offense of other teams, but they are rock solid defensively--a key to success that saw them top a very tough conference.

Union Dutchmen

15 Matt Hatch - 19 Kelly Zajac (A) -  21 Wayne Simpson
9 Daniel Carr - 27 Jeremy Welsh (A) - 7 Josh Jooris
16 Kevin Sullivan - 12 Kyle Bodie - 17 Daniel Ciampini
23 Cole Ikkala - 18 Max Novak - 11 Sam Coatta

22 Mat Bodie - 28 Shawn Stuart
2 Nolan Julseth-White (C) - 3 Ryan Forgaard
14 Shayne Gostisbehere - 20 Greg Coburn

1 Troy Grosenick
30 Colin Stevens
31 Dillon Pieri

Ferris State Bulldogs
28 Kyle Bonis-22 Derek Graham-12 TJ Schlueter
11 Jordie Johnston-20 Matthew Kirzinger-16 Garrett Thompson
17 Eric Alexander-8 Cory Kane-5 Aaron Schmit
32 Tommy Hill-9 Travis Ouellette-18 Andy Huff

4 Chad Billins-2 Scott Czarnowczan
27 Brett Wysopal-7 Jason Binkley
3 Travis White-26 Simon Denis

29 Taylor Nelson
30 CJ Motte
31 Rob Granett

Notes 

Local businesses in on the fun

• The Dutchmen keep their lines the same, to no surprise. 
• Many Union fans have made their way down to Tampa, and many more will filter into their homes, local bars, and Messa Rink today to support their team.
• Also of some mullet-awesomeness, frequent reader Ryan Fay shares this old hockey card of Coach Bennett.
• Tweets Eve Richards, a Union student who made the trek to Tampa: "This is so surreal. Lets go @UnionHockey!!!! #bringithome #tampa12". It's at once surreal, strange, thrilling, and terrifying for all Union fans. But no matter what, this should be fun.