Michigan Tech goaltender Ryan Manzella tracks play during a game against Northern Michigan on Friday, Jan. 24, at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — With eight games left in the regular season, the Michigan Tech Huskies hockey team is into the sprint to claim a home playoff spot. The Huskies enter the weekend 15-9-2 overall and 11-5-2 in CCHA play, which has them in third in the conference.

This weekend, which also happens to be Winter Carnival weekend, the Huskies host the Bemidji State Beavers for the first time since 2018. The Huskies traditionally have been very strong on Winter Carnival weekend, with an all-time record of 95-59-14.

The Beavers have been in a bit of a tailspin since the Huskies saw them on the road on Dec. 13 and 14. They are 1-7-1 in their last nine games and have fallen to eighth in the conference standings.

By no means does that mean the Beavers will be a pushover, according to Huskies assistant coach Raymond Brice.

“Yeah, it’s a big weekend for us,” he said. “(There’s) a lot of excitement in Houghton here, and it’s going to be a great atmosphere both nights, and (we) have an opportunity to play for a trophy. I know Bemidji is going to come in here after getting swept last weekend and going to give us a tough test. I’m looking forward to it.”

The Beavers dropped both games at home last weekend against Ferris State.

Brice, who played for the Huskies from 2016-20, is well-versed with the Beavers, and in his experience, any time a Bemidji State team goes through a stretch like they are right now, he expects them to find their way out.

“I think for them, that’s something they’ll come out of,” he said. “Traditionally in the past, they’ve always finished top-tier in our league, and I think they’re just having trouble scoring right now. They give up five and three to Ferris, which is pretty uncommon for them. They usually play a pretty defensive game and defensive-structured system. So, I think they’re just struggling in that aspect of the game.

“But, like I said, that’s a team that’ll get back on track. They’ve always done traditionally well in our league, and it’s going to be a tough test from them this weekend.”

Meanwhile, over the same stretch, the Huskies come in having gone 6-4, with wins over Northern Michigan three times, Holy Cross, Lake Superior State, and Minnesota State.

The coaching staff used the bye week the Huskies had to work on some concepts they felt were important while also giving the players a chance to get in some valuable rest time.

“I thought we had a good week last week,” Brice said. “(We were) just working on details, did a lot of 1-on-1 gapping stuff and whatnot. I think it was a big week for us just to refine our game a little bit, work on things that we need in our structure, our concepts, and get better throughout the week.

“We gave the guys a day off last week as well. (We have) a couple guys banged up, a couple guys in whites, contact jerseys. I think it was important for them. I think a light Saturday helped them too. So, (they) kind of got two days off on the weekend, as well as a midday, and (that) gave them an opportunity to rest as well.”

For Brice, who grew up in Houghton watching the Huskies play during Winter Carnival, this weekend holds a special place in his heart.

“For me, I think just remember (there being) a great atmosphere,” he said. “You have a chance to play for a trophy, a lot of families are here for players, and I think that’s exciting itself. I know the building’s going to be full both nights, (it’s) just an awesome environment, and the statues. I remember the Wednesday all-nighter, the broomball All-Star game, and stuff like that. The stuff that you look back on, it’s pretty cool. So, just a really exciting weekend and I know our guys are looking forward to it.”

Brice said that he talked with the Huskies’ freshmen about the experience as well.

“I think for them, (we will talk to them at) practice Thursday morning, and kind of reiterate the message that it’s a big weekend for us. These are huge points in the conference standings. I think that they’ll do fine. They’ve done a great job for us this year, and I’m not overly worried.”

One freshman whom the Huskies will likely rely on is goaltender Ryan Manzella, who comes into this weekend 6-0-0 overall in seven appearances, with a 1.41 goals against average and .942 save percentage. He earned CCHA Rookie of the Month honors for January.

“It’s been an awesome story,” Brice said. “Just a great kid. I know the guys really like him. He comes in, comes to work every day with a positive attitude. He’s done a great job for us. He’s a really smart goaltender, reads a play really well. You see on rushes, on 2-on-1s, he’s across and almost every shot’s hitting him in the chest. He’s in great position. Really happy for him, and (he’s) been an awesome surprise for our whole team.”

SCOUTING THE BEAVERS

The Beavers enter this weekend with just one win since December after losing both games last weekend at home against Ferris State. They are 9-15-4 overall and 6-11-3 in CCHA play.

They are led offensively by junior forward Kirklan Irey, who has nine goals and 21 points. Fifth-year forward Eric Martin has also been good, tying for the team lead in goals (9) and has 18 points in 28 games.

Junior forward Reilly Funk has had a very strong season with six goals and 16 points. He is also a +1, which makes him one of five skaters with a positive rating on a team that relies on its defense.

In goal, senior Mattias Sholl has seen action in 27 of 28 games, going 8-14-4 with two shutouts, a 2.84 goals against average and an .894 save percentage.

GAME TIMES

The Huskies and Beavers will play Friday night at 7:07 p.m. at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. Saturday, the teams will meet again at 5:07 p.m.