Michigan Tech forward Max Koskipirtti corrals the puck during a game against Ferris State earlier this season at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — To say the Michigan Tech Huskies hockey team has not been home in awhile would be an understatement. The Huskies have not seen fans at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena since Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, when they faced the St. Thomas Tommies.

This weekend, the Huskies are finally home, coming back to the MacInnes having won six of their last eight games, including both last weekend on the road at Bemidji State.

The Huskies went into last weekend trailing the Beavers by three points in the CCHA standings, but emerged with all six points, lifting them to a 14-8-2 record overall and a 9-3-2 record in conference play, putting them into a tie with this weekend’s opponent, the No. 17 Minnesota State Mavericks, for third.

“Really proud of our guys, accomplished the goal, the task at hand, on the road, against a really good club, a well-coached club,” said Huskies coach Bill Muckalt. “We got off to good starts both nights. Anytime you can get a sweep in this league, and take six points on the road, you’ve had a good weekend.”

Muckalt not only liked the Huskies’ starts both nights against the Beavers, he was proud of how the team fought for multi-goal leads both nights.

“Honestly, they’re (Bemidji) a good club, we’re a good hockey team,” he said. “You have two good teams battling, playing it out. I thought we got separation both nights, got a lead, and then we were able to close both games out. I think (there was) not a whole lot of difference other than maybe we started the game on time and got that separation both nights.”

Friday night, senior forward Stiven Sardarian got the Huskies going, picking up two assists in the game. His linemates, captain Isaac Gordon and alternate captain Max Koskipirtti, both scored in the game, with Gordon scoring just 43 seconds into the contest, and Koskipirtti scoring twice in the game.

“He’s leading straight up there in the league, leading the country in assists,” said Muckalt, when asked about Sardarian. “He makes plays. He knows how to generate offense. He’s been a real bright spot all year, so nothing really changed from that standpoint. That’s ‘Stiv.’ That’s what he’s doing for our group, and it’s fun to watch.”

Getting a pair of goals from Koskipirtti helps.

“He’s a glue guy usually,” Mukalt said. “He’s tremendous in the faceoff. Thought he was great Friday, not as good in the dot Saturday, but he’s so valuable. He can kill penalties. He’s on our power play, on our top line. He’s been very dependable. (We) have a lot of trust in his game. He’s got a calming presence, plays the game the right way. (We) really appreciate what he brings on and off the ice to our group.”

Saturday, the Huskies got two goals from freshman forward Brayden Boehm.

“Really proud of him,” said Muckalt. “This year, as a freshman, you’re going to have some ups and downs. He’s been really good for us at times. Took a little bit of a step back after the holidays. We got him back in the lineup, we challenged him, and (we are) so happy for him.

“The response is all you’re looking for as a coach, and a credit to him and his linemates. I thought there’s some great wall play by Reid Daavetila, Mike Cicek, to set him up. Great finishes by Brayden.

“His speed is his biggest asset. When he’s moving his feet, he’s so dangerous, and he creates that separation. Great finish on the other play. They make two great passes, and Brayden’s finish, the goalie didn’t have a chance. He put it right upstairs.”

With both Daavettila and Cicek also being freshmen, some coaches would shy away from playing three first-year players on the same line. However, this trio is working out for the Huskies.

“We have 12 freshmen, so we have to develop our younger players,” Muckalt said. “That’s been a big emphasis for our staff, for our group. One of the most important things of coaching is development. I feel like their buy-in, the freshmen, they’re learning about the standards and expectations to play at this level, have success at this level, and how hard it is to compete every night. So, I’m really proud of the growth of those guys. They’re putting the work in, and then it just translates to a game. So that’s exciting to see.”

Scouting the Mavericks

The Mavericks come into this weekend 12-6-5 overall and 8-4-3 in CCHA play after losing 4-2 to St. Thomas last Saturday.

Senior forward Tristan Lemyre leads the team in goals (10) and is tied for the lead in points (20) in 23 games this season. Junior defenseman Evan Murr continues to impress, with six goals and 20 points in 23 games.

Junior forward Luigi Benicasa has five goals and 18 points in 23 games to add depth to the Mavericks’ offense.

In goal, senior Alex Tracy has seen the bulk of the action, starting 22 games. He sports an 11-6-5 record with two shutouts, a 2.02 goals against average, and a .926 save percentage. He is on the Mike Richter Award watch list, along with Michigan Tech goaltender Owen Bartoszkiewicz.

Game times

The Huskies and Mavericks will face off Friday at 7:07 p.m. at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Saturday, the two teams will meet again, this time at 6:07 p.m.