BEMIDJI, M.N.–The Huskies came up short in a 6-5 loss to Bemidji State Friday night. The game winning goal was scored by Brad Hunt just over eight minutes into the third period.
Brad Kinne opened up scoring for Beavers 2:51 into the opening frame after walking in on goaltender Josh Robinson. He was assisted by Jordan George and Matt Prapavessis.
Just over three minutes later Carl Nielsen kicked off a scoring streak that would put the Huskies up 3-1. Nielsen fired a shot past goaltender Dan Bakala off a face-off win by Brett Olson.
At 11:33 the Johnstone brothers put together a scoring play that would put the Huskies up 2-1. David Johnstone put the puck in the net after a backwards pass from his brother Jacob. “I’m happy for David to get that first one and I thought David had a good strong game,” Mel Pearson said.
A Blake Pietila backhanded shot would put the Huskies up 3-1 with 7:11 remaining in the 1st period. Andy Walsh replaced Bakala in net after giving up 3 goals on 4 shots.
Over the next 40 minutes Bemidji would score five unanswered goals, including one by Brance Orban with 1:16 remaining in the 1st period on a power play resulting from a 5-minute major and a game for checking from behind by defenseman Jimmy Davis.
Michigan Tech would start to rally back midway through the third period when Alex MacLeod knocked in a rebound of a Seigo shot from the point. The play was also assisted by D. Johnstone.
Steven Seigo would cut Bemidji’s lead to one with 33 seconds remaining in the 3rd period. The Huskies would pull Robinson in the remaining seconds, but a flurry of chances couldn’t solve goaltender Walsh.
“We’ve got some character on this team and that’s what I like,” said Pearson, “We’re going to have adversity, we’re going to be in tough situation and we’re going to have to learn to keep battling.”
Bemidji finished the game with a 34-23 shot advantage. The teams meet again at 7:07 CST Saturday night in Bemidji.
Highlights
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Brandon is a 2010 graduate of Michigan Tech. He co-founded Tech Hockey Guide with Tim Braun as a outlet to expand the coverage of Michigan Tech Hockey. He currently resides in Portland, Oregon with his wife Lindsey and corgis Quincy and Niko.
