North Dakota and Michigan Tech sat 6th and 7th in the WCHA standings coming into the weekend, and both were looking for some much-needed points. With just one point separating them, it was like a playoff weekend for both teams. For the second straight weekend, the Huskies came away with only 1 point, when they really needed more if they wanted to secure home ice for the playoffs.
Friday
[ytplaylist id=”PLD2D090FD15A92CA3″]
On Friday, the Huskies jumped out to an early lead on North Dakota when Alex MacLeod sent a pass towards the net and Jacob Johnstone tipped the puck in over the shoulder of Fighting Sioux netminder Brad Eidsness. North Dakota tied the game with a goal off a player’s skate in the middle of the first. Michigan Tech regained the lead in the last 10 seconds of the first on a nearly identical goal by Jacob Johnstone with an assist from MacLeod. “It was a slower start than we had hoped,” said Coach Mel Pearson, “but we really took it to them in the third. It was our best period of the night.” Huskies goaltender Josh Robinson playing a very good game and gave the Huskies a chance for the win.
Scoresheet
Coverage
- Huskies lose to Sioux – The Daily Mining Gazette
- Eidsness stops 19 in 4-2 victory over Michigan Tech – Grand Forks Herald
- Hockey Huskies Fall to Fighting Sioux 4-2 – Michigan Tech Athletics
- Rowney, Knight each score twice in 4-2 win – University of North Dakota Athletics
Saturday
[ytplaylist id=”PL095E1F31409B06A3″]
On Saturday, Michigan Tech came out strong and dominated North Dakota in their own rink. The Huskies had five great scoring chances in the first period, including three shots off goalposts, while surrendering no real chances to the Fighting Sioux. In the second period the teams were pretty even, but again neither team could score. In the final frame, the home team took advantage of a penalty on the Huskies and scored off an unlucky bounce, when a pass went off a Husky defenseman and into the net. A few minutes later, on another North Dakota power play, Brett Olson blocked a pass and came down short-handed, outworked the North Dakota defenseman and put a shot on goal. Jordan Baker was there to get the rebound into the net and tied the game 1–1. “We played well all weekend,” said Pearson. “We would have liked to get more points, but at least we got one. We are in the games and still in the middle of the hunt for home ice. We have our work cut out for us, but we can still do it.”
Scoresheet
Coverage
- Daily Mining Gazette will release later Monday.
- Sioux tie Tech and gain point in battle for home ice in playoffs – Grand Forks Herald
- Huskies and Sioux Play to 1-All Draw – Michigan Tech Athletics
- North Dakota, Michigan Tech battle to overtime tie – University of North Dakota Athletics
Stick Salute
This week we salute Jordan Baker with his team-leading 10th goal (tied with Ryan Furne) and the game-tying goal on Saturday night. He and North Dakota goaltender Brad Eidsness grew up together and played with and against each other until they were 15. Baker was a thorn in Eidsness’s side all weekend, creating scoring chance after scoring chance and finally getting rewarded with the rebound goal on Saturday night. This year, Baker has been a spark plug for the Huskies, working hard in the corner and constantly generating scoring chances with his gritty play. As a senior, he has been looked at as a leader and has finally seen success for his hard work.
