MARQUETTE, Mich. — Darren Nowick posted his third career multi-goal effort, but the Northern Michigan hockey team fell to Ferris State, 4-2, Friday night at the Berry Events Center.

With the loss, their first at home this season, the Wildcats fall to 5-6-6 (4-5-4 WCHA).

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 1-0 lead with just under five minutes remaining in the opening stanza when Zac Tierney's point shot left a big rebound in front, which was promptly potted by Andrew Mayer.

Roughly a minute before Mayer's goal, Matt Robertson nearly gave Ferris State the advantage when he managed to slip behind the defense. But Atte Tolvanen stopped his initial shot and then swatted his rebound attempt wide.

Northern Michigan netted the equalizer on a 5-on-3 man advantage at 16:59 in the second period as Nowick took a feed from Dominik Shine and found the space between the crossbar and Charles Williams's glove.

The Bulldogs had an extended 5-on-3 advantage of their own near the end of the second frame, but Nowick, Jordan Klimek and Brock Maschmeyer held fast to maintain the 1-1 stalemate.

Nowick gave the Wildcats their first lead just 41 seconds into the final frame, potting his team-leading seventh goal of the year off of a give-and-go with John Siemer. But the Bulldogs responded to tie the game at two apiece with just two seconds left in their man advantage at the 8:58 mark.

With just under three minutes remaining in the final stanza, Robbie Payne nearly regained the Wildcat advantage, but he roofed Connor Frantti's pass just over the crossbar. Then, Williams denied Nowick on the doorstep with 2:15 left on the clock.

At 17:55, Andrew Dorantes gave Ferris State the lead for good, burying a Corey Mackin rebound off of a rush. Mackin iced the game with an empty-net goal in the final minute.

The Wildcats and Bulldogs return to the ice tomorrow at 7:07 p.m.

NOTES: Northern Michigan leads the all-time series, 51-27-5 ... The Wildcats were 3-0-3 at home entering tonight's contest ... Nowick last enjoyed a multi-goal performance Oct. 24, 2014 at Lake Superior State; he also netted a hat trick March 8, 2014 at Alabama-Huntsville ... Aaron Leach recorded his first career shot on net ... Tolvanen made 29 saves in the loss.