Michigan Tech was unable to come back from a 2–0 deficit and fell to UP rival Northern Michigan last night, 5–2. The Wildcats took advantage of defensive breakdowns and a 5-on-3 power play to earn the season sweep.
The puck was not bouncing the way the home team was hoping, as the Huskies hit three pipes in the first period and were unable to find the back of the net until back-to-back power plays in the second. David Johnstone scored two goals for the Huskies, and that seemed to turn the momentum to the home team.
In the third period, Michigan Tech was whistled for a boarding call, and during the delayed penalty, they were also whistled for elbowing. Northern Michigan scored on the ensuing 5-on-3 to retake the lead, 3–2. The Wildcats did not look back and added two more goals, one with Josh Robinson pulled.
“We put ourselves in a hole… until we can stop these mistakes we will be inconsistent,” said coach Mel Pearson. “I was proud how we fought back, but we just can’t put ourselves behind in the beginning. We took penalties that were not very good, we have been good all year, just don’t know what happened tonight.”
Michigan Tech played in front of its biggest crowd of the year – 3700 plus in the MacInnes – many wearing white as part of the “Electrify the Mac” promotion.
