Roadtrip Warriors: Huskies head back out to faceoff with Clarkson
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POTSDAM, N.Y. -- The Michigan Tech Huskies beat the Ferris State Bulldogs this past weekend 5-4 and 4-3 to improve to 5-3 overall and 4-0 in conference play. This weekend, the Huskies are back on the road for the fourth straight weekend, this time to face the Clarkson Golden Knights, who are 4-4-0 this season and will be looking for a win of their own after falling to both Union and Canisius on the road.
Huskies coach Joe Shawhan is happy with the momentum that his team has built early in the season.
"I was happy with the way that our guys played," he said. "Our competition level was good and our young guys are starting to (come around). We've gone through some challenges, like every young group does, and we're getting some significant impact from them (along with) some great leadership from our upper class."
Shawhan is pleased to see that the Huskies are getting balanced scoring right now.
"The good thing that we're having is balance from our lines," he said. "We're (seeing) scoring from every line, (and) our defense (is) transitioning the puck much quicker. We're not allowing a lot of time and space right now."
After their struggles dealing with the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs and the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday nights, Shawhan is happy to see his team developing their second-night attack in order to come away with sweeps the last two weekends.
"I think we're developing resiliency, and that comes from within the group," he said. "That comes down to our leadership and how they take it over and guide the tempo (and) the momentum of the group. I think they've done a great job."
The early defeats have taught Huskies young and old what type of effort they need to have night in and night out.
"I think those things bring you together as a group," said Shawhan. "We're playing good hockey with it. We're seeing different environments, different types of teams (and) different rink sizes. All (are) good opportunities for the team to grow and come together.
"Right now, I think we're ahead of we thought we would be with so many young guys in the lineup "
While Shawhan may seem uncertain at times with his goaltending, like last Saturday when he pulled junior Matt Jurusik for sophomore Robbie Beydoun, he feels that it is still a strength of this year's team.
"You want to have the people in there who'll give you the best chance of winning," Shawhan said. "Matt Jurusik played well for us. I thought that Devin Kero gave us a great series in the first weekend against Duluth and has practiced really well. Robbie Beydoun played two periods and didn't give up any goals, (allowing us) to come back and win. He hasn't given up a goal yet and looks confident... I have confidence in all of them." Sophomore forward Ray Brice, a Houghton native, cracked the lineup for the last two weekends for the Huskies, and he scored a key goal against Ferris State.
"Ray Brice (is) a third year player for us," said Shawhan. "(He) didn't play in the first few games, (but he) has come in and got points (and) drives the net. (He) plays the game in ways that you obviously don't see on the scoreboard and has gotten that line clicking with energy."
Clarkson and Michigan Tech have not met since the NCAA Semifinals in 1970. Clarkson came out with the 4-3 win that night, but times have changed and the Huskies would love nothing more than to hang a pair of losses on the Golden Knights this weekend.
"They've played a tough schedule so far this year (and) beat Wisconsin, so we have a little head-to-head comparison there because we split with Wisconsin," Shawhan said. "(They are) always good in their rink (and have) a small hockey community much like us."
Junior Nico Sturm is leading the Golden Knights in goals (5), assists (6) and points (11). Junior Haralds Elge is also off to a good start with three goals and eight points.
"They have size (and) speed," said Shawhan. "They transition well (with) an up-and-down style with a compete level (that) will be another good test on the road."
Junior Jake Kielly has been strong in goal, going 4-4-0 in eight appearances with a 2.69 goals against average and a .907 save percentage.
"I don't think I've ever coached against coach Casey Jones when he's been a head coach, but I know the way he thinks," said Shawhan. "He knows the way that I think. I know the style they play. You'd like to have familiarity, but we'll get to know each other intimately and quickly as soon as they drop that puck."
With defensemen Eric Gotz, a freshman, and Mitch Meek, a sophomore, down, Shawhan wants to switch things up this week before seeing Clarkson.
'"I'm not opposed this week to dressing the extra forward and being creative with our line structure if we have to," he said. "(I would even be open to playing with one defenseman on the (forward) line if we have to. I think we have enough symmetry within our game to get away with something like that."
GAME TIMES
The Huskies and Golden Knights will faceoff at 7 p.m. both Friday and Saturday night at Cheel Arena in Potsdam, New York.