The Michigan Tech Huskies traveled to Mankato, Minn., over the weekend to face the No. 9 Minnesota State Mavericks. Whether it was the fact that the Huskies were playing their fourth and fifth games in nine nights or it was the larger ice surface, the Huskies struggled to get much offense going either night, dropping both contests on the weekend.
Friday
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The Huskies skated well early in the game, drawing a five-minute major power play early on when defenseman Daniel Sova was checked from behind. On the ensuing power play, winger Alex Petan got the Huskies on the board with a goal at 4:35. Center Jujhar Khaira and winger Ryan Furne both assisted on the goal.
The Mavericks scored the next two goals before Petan struck again on the power play in the second period. Winger David Johnstone fed the puck to Petan, who tried to find someone to move the puck to. With no one to pass to, Petan wheeled and beat Stephon Williams with a shot at 10:38. The Mavericks scored the game’s next two goals to get the win, 4-2. Huskies’ goaltender Pheonix Copley made 32 saves in the game.
“I didn’t think we were in sync all night,” said Pearson. “They did a good job of denying us the things we wanted to do all night.”
Scoresheet
Coverage
- Petan pair not enough for Tech – Daily Mining Gazette
- MSU hockey team keeps rolling – Mankato Free Press
- No. 9 Mavericks Top Huskies 4-2 in Hockey – Michigan Tech Athletics
- Mavericks Best Huskies in WCHA Contest Friday – Minnesota State Athletics
Saturday
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On Saturday night, the Huskies played better than they had on Friday, but it was the Mavericks who scored 13:36 in. Huskies’ winger Blake Pietila was awarded a penalty shot during the second period, but he hit the post. The game remained close until 9:33 of the period when the Huskies were looking for the equalizer on the power play. Unfortunately, the Mavericks struck shorthanded before adding two more before the period ended.
Huskies’ goaltender Jamie Phillips replaced Copley to start the third period, but the Mavericks struck again just 6:51 in, making it 5-0. The Huskies finally broke through 14:06 into the period when winger C.J. Eick scored on a breakaway. Captain Carl Nielsen fed Eick with a great pass. The Mavericks struck once more before the game ended, 6-1.
“You are not going to win with average goaltending on the road,” said Pearson. “You have to score on your chances…we did not. We lost, even though we played a real good hockey game.”
Scoresheet
Coverage
- Minnesota St. completes sweep of Tech hockey – Daily Mining Gazette
- Mavericks reach 20 wins with sweep of Huskies – Mankato Free Press
- Minnesota State Beats Tech 6-1 Saturday – Michigan Tech Athletics
- Ninth-Rated Mavericks Roll to 6-1 Win over Michigan Tech Saturday – Minnesota State Athletics
Stick Salute
Freshman winger Alex Petan earned the stick salute this weekend thanks to his pair of goals Friday night. Both goals came on the power play Friday night. The Huskies’ leading scorer is now second on the team in goals (13) and tops in power play goals (5). Going into Saturday night, Petan had six points in his previous four games.
