×

No. 19 MTU hockey falls to No. 4 MSU

MANKATO, Minn. – No. 19 Michigan Tech wrapped up the regular season with a 3-2 loss at No. 4 Minnesota State on Saturday.

The Huskies finished with a 17-10-1 record and a 7-7-0 mark in the WCHA and will begin the WCHA Playoffs at Bemidji State next weekend.

The Huskies scored with 23.5 seconds left to make it a one-goal game but couldn’t find the equalizer after six penalties were called in the final minute with an offensive zone faceoff for Tech with 1.3 seconds left.

“I’m pleased with the way we played against a great team,” Tech coach Joe Shawhan. said. “The regular season is behind us. I think we learned a lot about ourselves tonight, and this weekend, and got better. This is the best test we could’ve had getting ready for the playoffs.”

After no scoring in the first period, Alec Broetzman put the Huskies in front 6:35 into the second when he fired in his 13th of the season. Chris Lipe and Arvid Caderoth assisted on the play.

MSU (18-3-1, 13-1-0 WCHA) tied it up just under 5:00 later when a centering feed went off the skate of a Tech player and across the goal line. Walker Duehr was credited with the goal from Sam Morton and Tony Malinowski.

The Mavs took the lead 61 seconds later when Tony Malinowski scored on a rebound from Cade Borchardt and Riese Zmolek.

Julian Napravnik made it a two-goal game 9:19 into the third period with the eventual game-winner from Walker Duehr.

The Huskies made it interesting in the third. Brian Halonen had a power move to the net early in the period that Dryden McKay was patient on and gloved down. Carson Bantle had a backhand shot right in front of the crease that was saved, and Chris Lipe had a one-timer that McKay got across the crease for and gloved.

With 3:07 left and Tech on the power play, Coach Shawhan pulled goaltender Blake Pietila for the extra attacker. The Huskies drew another penalty and had 19 seconds of 6-on-3.

The Huskies maintained offensive zone pressure even after the penalties expired, and Chris Lipe centered a pass that Tristan Ashbrook whacked in to make it a one-goal game with 23.5 ticks left. It was Ashbrook’s seventh goal of the season.

Penalties piled up from there. A good shoving match deep in the MSU zone resulted in five penalties and center ice faceoff. Tech worked the puck in the zone and then MSU was whistled for tripping with 1.3 seconds left. On the ensuing faceoff to the left of McKay, Arvid Caderoth tried a shot off the draw that didn’t make it to the net and the game was over.

“We would’ve liked to have a better result,” added Shawhan. “They dominated the first half of the game, but we made some adjustments and rode the guys in the third period that really played with compete tonight. We’re as ready as we’re going to be for the playoffs after a series like this.”

Shots favored MSU 23-18. Pietila had 20 saves and McKay finished with 16.

Tech was 3-for-3 on the penalty kill and 0-for-3 on the power play.

Trenton Bliss and Brian Halonen each played in their 100th game for the Huskies.

The Huskies will be the fifth seed and the Beavers will be the fourth in the best-of-three quarterfinal round. MSU will host Ferris State, Lake Superior State will host Alabama Huntsville, and Bowling Green will host Northern Michigan in other matchups.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today