HOUGHTON - Michigan Tech was on its way to a sweep of Minnesota Duluth in the finale of its Winter Carnival series Saturday.
The Huskies had scored two goals in the first period and were up 2-1 after two. Unfortunately for Tech, it wasn't able to hold on to its slim one-goal advantage.
The Bulldogs scored a pair of special-teams goals over the final 20 minutes to defeat the Huskies 3-2 in Western Collegiate Hockey Association play.
"I thought in the second period we had a really good push where we had some sustained pressure and we hit two goal posts in a row," Tech coach Jamie Russell said. "We had a lot of pressure and I thought that might have been the straw that broke the camel's back, but we didn't get a bounce there.
"We stuck with things and they capitalized on a couple chances. It was very lopsided in terms of the penalties. I think the final tally was 7-3 (with Tech having the seven) and that results in a lot of momentum shifts in the hockey game."
Despite the defeat, Michigan Tech took back the MacInnes Cup for winning the total-goals series 5-4. Eric Kattelus was named Winter Carnival most valuable player.
Steven Seigo and Jordan Baker had the goals in the first period for the Huskies. Each also drew an assist on the other's goal that put Tech in front by two.
"I only have three goals this season, but the coaches are giving me the green light to jump up in the play and I've just been jumping a lot more in the last couple of weeks and it's been paying off," Seigo said.
Duluth, however, would trim the lead to one with a goal in the second period. David Grun's third of the year on the power play made it 2-1 heading to the third.
The goal was the first of two with the man advantage for the Bulldogs. Drew Atkins' goal on the power play with 10:26 remaining in the third leveled the score at 2.
Duluth's special teams also accounted for the game-winner. Mike Connolly's shorthanded tally with 7:44 put the Bulldogs in front to stay.
The Huskies were carrying the play to Duluth late in the third trying to tie the score. But Tech was assessed two penalties over the final 1:39 and had to play shorthanded the rest of the way.
Not having their full allotment of players or being able to pull their goaltender thwarted the Huskies' attempt at a comeback. Tech has this week off before traveling to face Denver Feb. 19-20.
K.D. Warvie can be reached at kwarvie@mininggazette.com.
