BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The Wisconsin men's hockey team got 37 saves from goaltender Matt Jurusik, but a rebound goal just 19 seconds after the Badgers scored proved the difference in a 2-1 loss to Ferris State.
 
A night after scoring a season-high five goals, the Badgers (0-3-3) had trouble getting on track offensively in the series finale against the Bulldogs (2-2-2) on Saturday night at Ewigleben Arena.
 
But with Jurusik doing his part in goal for the Badgers, they were right in the game when the third period began.
 
After FSU's Andrew Dorantes took a penalty at the conclusion of the second, Wisconsin started that third period on the power play and promptly took advantage. Just 29 seconds into the third, Luke Kunin launched a one-timer from between the circles and beat Bulldogs' goaltender Darren Smith just inside the right post to knot the score at one.
 
It wouldn't stay that way for long. Ferris State worked the puck into the Badgers' defensive zone right after the ensuing faceoff and put a shot on Jurusik, who couldn't handle the rebound. With Jurusik down and out trying to cover the loose puck, Chad McDonald roofed the puck from just right of the crease to put Ferris State back in front.
 
Wisconsin had several chances throughout the rest of the period, but couldn't capitalize on any of its other 11 shots on goal in the frame to tie the score again.
 
The best opportunity wasn't even one of those 11 shots on goal. It came from Ryan Wagner, who intercepted a puck in the high slot right around the five minute mark. Wagner got the puck in stride and maneuvered behind the FSU defense, but he rang his shot off the right post, keeping Wisconsin down one.
 
The Badgers got their fifth power play of the night with 2:43 left in regulation, but they couldn't convert another time to tie the game.
 
Despite having more chances, it took Ferris State until six minutes into the second period to find the back of the net. A big part of that was due to Jurusik, who had multiple big saves throughout the course of the night, including a pair of breakaway stops on the Bulldogs. But FSU finally broke through on a power-play, as Ryker Killins deflected Gerald Mayhew's initial stop past Jurusik for the 1-0 lead.
 
Darren Smith, who played for the Madison Capitols of the USHL last year, made 29 saves for Ferris State.
 
Wisconsin returns to the Kohl Center next Friday and Saturday to take on NCAA newcomer Arizona State. Faceoff is slated for 7 p.m. both nights.