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Huskies top Beavers 3-0 to salvage series split

BEMIDJI, Minn. — Jake Crespi scored his first goal as a Husky as Michigan Tech beat Bemidji State 3-0 on Sunday for a series split.

Crespi’s goal came seven and a half minutes into the third to cap the Huskies’ afternoon with their second win of the season.

Husky goaltender Blake Pietila stopped all 31 shots faced for his first shutout of the year.

Senior forward Justin Misiak broke the scoreless tie with his first goal of the season just 14 seconds into the second period. Trenton Bliss and Colin Swoyer assisted.

About 12 minutes later, Bliss scored his second goal of the season with an assist from Swoyer.

Michigan Tech’s win offset a 6-3 loss on Saturday. The Beavers (1-1) scored four straight goals in the first seven minutes of the second period.

The Huskies (2-3-1) have split the last four games between the Beavers and Minnesota State.

Tech forward, Carson Bantle, a highly touted freshman taken in this year’s NHL draft, scored his first career goal as a Husky in the 6-3 loss Saturday. Bantle’s goal seven minutes into the the second period made it a 5-2 game.

The goal came right off a faceoff win by Misiak, who drew the puck straight back off the draw. Bantle, at right wing for the faceoff, drifted over to the puck and wristed it at the net in one motion. The shot went through a defensive screen and Beavers goaltender Zach Driscoll appeared to get a late read on the shot, which beat him glove side.

But by then, it was too late for the Huskies. Tech dug itself a deep hole giving up five goals to the Beavers in the first seven minutes of the second period.

“We made a couple of bad pinches that ended up in 2-on-1 opportunities for them,” assistant coach Chris Brooks said. “We did have our chances though and Driscoll had some big saves. We need to be a lot better than we were in certain situations. We need to manage the puck better and get numbers around the puck. We get off track at times when we don’t do our job and try to do other people’s job.”

Bemidji State added a goal later in the second for a 6-2 lead. Tech captain Alec Broetzman scored halfway through the third period for his first goal of the season. Logan Pietila assisted.

The Beavers scored 11 minutes into the first period before Bliss tied it with his first goal of the season. Tyrell Buckley and Eric Gotz assisted.

Mark Sinclair started in goal for Tech. He was pulled after giving up the fifth goal 19 shots. Blake Pietila was put in goal and he gave up a goal with 10 saves.

Up next

Michigan Tech is scheduled to host Northern Michigan on Friday and visit the Wildcats on Saturday.

Northern Michigan has yet to play a game this season after canceling its first three weekend series because of positive COVID-19 tests within the program.

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