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HOUGHTON -- The Michigan Tech Huskies hockey team had a confidence-building series last weekend against Alaska-Anchorage with a 3-2 win Friday and a 3-1 victory Saturday. The Huskies put together a cohesive team effort for five of the six periods, which helped them get the wins.
"I thought our special teams was good on the weekend and goaltending was good, so I think every part of our game we got a little bit better at and that's all we can ask," said Huskies coach Joe Shawhan. "It's currently not going to hurt. Any time (we) can gain some confidence, it's a good thing.
"I think the whole weekend was good. The entire group contributed. That's a good thing. If anything, I think it's the first time in a long time (that) the entire team, all lines, all facets, did a great job."
Shawhan was extemely happy that the Huskies finished both games strong.
"There was no let down from anybody," he said. "There (were) no let downs from anybody individually. They all supported each other and I thought we had good chemistry. That was probably the most important thing."
This weekend, the Huskies will matchup with the Northern Michigan Wildcats (17-14-2 overall, 16-8-2 WCHA). The Wildcats are in third place with WCHA standings with 50 points.
The Huskies (14-16-4 overall, 13-10-3-1 WCHA) come into the weekend seven points back of the Wildcats and in sixth place in the conference standings. The Huskies still have an outside shot at the fourth seed in the WCHA playoffs, but they would need to sweep the Wildcats, have Ferris State sweep Lake Superior State and have the Bemidji State Beavers only take three points from Minnesota State.
Friday is Michigan Tech's final home game of the regular season and they will recognize their five seniors during the contest.
"This has been a great (senior) group," said Shawhan "They were really the first group that came in really after the rebuild took place, so this has been their toughest year as a group."
Goaltender Devin Kero and co-captain Dylan Steman have been a part of the team for five seasons.
"I think they're all strong character people," Shawhan said. "I think they're all going to have success in whatever they do going forward if that involves hockey or if that involves something else. They've made a huge impact (and) are high character guys. Two of them I've been with for five years.
"Two of them were on that first good team that we had: Devin Kero and Dylan Steman. They've all had nothing but sucess since they've been here (and) have run the program (in) a very good way. It's been a pleasure for me to be around them."
In scouting the Wildcats, goaltender Atte Tolvanen is of concern for Shawhan and the Huskies. The senior sports a 2.32 goals against average in 33 games this season with a .915 save percentage.
He also scored a goal in the previous meeting with the Huskies at the Berry Events Center.
Left wing Troy Loggins leads the Wildcats with 17 goals and 15 assists over 33 games. Forward Adam Rockwood has six goals and 27 points. Center Denver Pierce has nine goals and 16 points.
Defenseman Philip Beaulieu has been outstanding this season with six goals and 24 assists on the season.
"We have to find a way to solve the goaltending," Shawhan said. "They have tremendous group of forwards and they have a very good group of defense. They're a good team. They're a good hockey team (that's) extremely well-coached, so we're going to have to play 60 minutes of strong hockey.
"They have the ability to score and also have the ability to defend (and) also have very good special teams. (We) couldn't ask for a better series to get us ready for the playoffs. (It's) our rivalry weekend (so there will be) a lot of emotion in it as well."
Shawhan expects that, given the two teams are only 100 miles apart, this weekend will be another good learning step.
"We're looking forward to the games and, as always, our goal is to get better," he said. "Any time we can play a great rivalry game that can force us to get better, we're always looking for that opportunity.
"I like these home-and-home-type deals, they're good for everybody. Both sets of communities get to see their team play, especially against their rival... I really enjoy them."
Shawhan wants his team to keep things simple.
"We just want to get better," he said. "Every facet of our game has to get better. We have to work on our strengths (and) our weaknesses. We have to work on our individual play and every part of our game. We have to continue to work."
With the postseason looming closer, the Huskies are not sure where or who they will play in the first postseason game, but Shawhan is excited for whatever is in store for his team in the coming weeks.
"We don't know we're going to play yet," he said. "It'll change all up to the buzzer on Saturday night. We may know on Friday what we're doing, whether we're tracking or have the opportunity to play at home. A lot of things will happen on Saturday (that) will change things, so we won't know for sure."
GAME TIMES
Opening faceoff for both nights will be 7:07 p.m. with Friday's game taking place at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena and Saturday's at the Berry Events Center.