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Beydoun records first career shutout, Tech defeats LSSU 3-0

Michigan Tech’s Robbie Beydoun prepares to make a save against Lake Superior State Friday, at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena. (Daily Mining Gazette/David Archambeau)

HOUGHTON — The last time Michigan Tech took on Lake Superior State, senior captain Brent Baltus missed both games due to injury.  

This time, the Lakers noticed his return.  

And how could they miss him? Baltus was the driving force behind Tech’s 3-0 victory over LSSU, Friday at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena. 

If there was a big play, Baltus was likely involved, and the senior was responsible for Tech’s first two goals.  

“He was excellent,” assistant coach Chris Brooks said. “And what he was doing was real simple. He used his speed and drove wide and took advantage of transitioning.” 

He was aided by another player who didn’t see the ice against LSSU in the October series: freshman goalie Robbie Beydoun.  

Fresh off his first collegiate victory against Ferris State, this time, Beydoun recorded his first career shutout with 25 saves against the Lakers.  

“I’m just keeping it simple and enjoying the moment out there. I don’t really care about the score, I just focus on the next puck and doing my job to the best of my ability,” he said.  

Beydoun kept the Lakers off the board and allowed Tech to work through some early-game turnovers.  

“It is awesome having him back there,” Baltus said. “I don’t think we played our best today, so to have him as a presence to calm us down was huge.” 

The first period was relatively void of action, apart from two key moments. Wrapped up in both scenarios was Baltus.  

Just 2:46 into play, the Huskies found themselves on a power play. Baltus outskated the Lake Superior State defense up the right board and fired a shot into the opposite side of the net, giving Tech a 1-0 lead.  

“I got a step ahead of their d-man, and I was honestly trying to pass it back door to (Jake) Jackson, and their d-man got a stick on it and it took a lucky bounce,” Baltus said.  

Lucky or not, the goal gave Tech the lead and the momentum, which the Huskies kept throughout the game. 

Tech got a few looks throughout the period from Jake Lucchini and Greyson Reitmeier, and then three key saves from Beydoun, including one that soared over the heads of the defense and into his glove with 2:14 left to play in the period. But the second crucial play didn’t occur until time expired in the first frame.  

Baltus found himself against the glass when he took a hard hit from an LSSU defender. His linemate Alex Smith didn’t take too kindly to the contact, and a pushing match ensued before the players were eventually separated by the officials.  

Three penalties and a Tech power play came out of the scuffle, but what’s more, it served as an omen for what was to come: The relaxed play of the first period was over. 

There were no goals scored in the second period, but it was packed with plenty of excitement. It started with Tech on a power play thanks to the LSSU hit on Baltus to end the first period. There were six more penalties on the period, and Tech got three power-play chances but came up empty on all of them.  

Tech fired off 19 shots, most of them quality looks, but LSSU’s goaltender, Mareks Mitens held tough.

He was challenged several times in the period, and at the 14:26 mark, it looked like the Huskies might break him. Justin Misiak got in front of the net, with no one to challenge him but Mitens. Misiak fired a shot, which Mitens deflected back, then Misiak tried again. This time the goalie came up with it, and Misiak skated away empty handed.  

The Lakers also had some excitement in the period with two breakaway chances. At 18:04, while Tech was on a power play, Diego Cuglietta took advantage of a Tech turnover and had a clear line to the net. But with Keegan Ford skating hard to catch up, Cuglietta shot wide, and Beydoun, who was credited with a save, flung himself to the right post to get the stop.   

“I just trust in my ability to read the play,” Beydoun said. “That is why you work so hard in practice every day. You solidify your technique every day, so when you go out there it just comes natural.” 

Then, with 1:41 left in the second, Tech made another careless turnover, and the Lakers found themselves in a two-on-one situation. This time, Dane Birks gave chase and broke up the play, saving what could have been a game-evening goal.  

When the third period began, Baltus went back to work. In a play nearly identical to his goal in the first period, Baltus skated up the right board, but this time, instead of shooting for the left pipe, he found Lucchini skating for the goal and connected for his eighth assist of the season.  

Tech added another goal with 15:08 left to play as Mitch Meek found himself in a two-on-one situation. He found Alex Smith skating for the opposite side of the net, and Smith tapped it in.  

“They scored three identical goals,” Lake Superior State head coach Damon Whitten said. “On those, our goalie has no chance, but honestly it’s not that difficult. Our defensemen have to do a better job tying up the rush and maintaining body position on it.” 

Smith, Baltus and Jake Jackson all continued their point streaks: Jackson’s extended to seven games, Smith’s is now at six, and Baltus has a six-game streak.  

Tech (9-7-4, 7-6-4-1 WCHA) and LSSU (4-12-3, 3-8-2-0 WCHA) play again tomorrow, at 7:07 in the MacInnes Student Ice Arena. 

– – – 

LSSU 0 0 0 — 0

Tech 1 0 2 — 3

First period 

Tech- Brent Baltus (Dane Birks, Robbie Beydoun), 2:56, 1-0.

Second period

None.

Third period

Tech- Jake Lucchini (Baltus, Mitch Reinke), :45, 2-0.

Tech- Alex Smith (Mitch Meek, Jake Jackson), 4:53, 3-0.

Saves

LSSU Mareks Mitens 37, Tech Robbie Beydoun 25. 

Penalties 

LSSU: 7/14; Tech: 5/10.

Power plays 

LSSU: 0/2; Tech: 1/5.

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