Michigan Tech forward Isaac Gordon battles with a Minnesota State defender for a loose puck during a game Saturday at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — The Michigan Tech Huskies won their fifth straight game after a 4-1 victory over No. 17 Minnesota State on Saturday at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Junior goaltender Owen Bartoszkiewicz made a career-high 46 saves, and alternate captain Max Koskipirtti had three assists as Michigan Tech improved to 16-8-2 overall and 11-3-2 in the CCHA.

The Huskies swept the Mavericks with two regulation wins for the first time since 2007.

“It was a huge weekend for us,” Huskies coach Bill Muckalt said. “Owen was amazing, and he had that huge glove save late in the third. He was super sharp tonight and was definitely the difference in the hockey game for us.

“We got some separation early. They pushed really hard in the third, but we found a way to hang on. We’re improving as a hockey club, and I’m proud of our guys.”

Michigan Tech jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Sophomore defenseman Luca Fasciano opened the scoring 9:25 into the game when he drove the net and was able to slip in his fourth of the season from freshman forwards Michael Cicek and Teydon Trembecky.

Freshman defenseman Kalem Parker added to the lead at 13:49 of the first with a long shot through traffic for his fourth of the season. Koskipirtti and freshman forward Brayden Boehm assisted on the play.

Captain Isaac Gordon finished off a nice feed from Koskipirtti 6:42 into the second period for his fourth of the season to add to the lead. Sophomore defenseman Tyler Miller added the second assist on Gordon’s 29th career goal.

Minnesota State (12-8-5, 8-6-3 CCHA) got on the board 8:42 into the third period on a goal by Fin Williams from Mason LeBel and Reid Morich.

The Mavericks pressured in the third, generating 18 shots on goal. They added the extra attacker late, and sophomore forward Carson Latimer scored an empty-netter on a breakaway for the second night in a row. Latimer’s fifth of the season was assisted by Koskipirtti and Fasciano.

Bartoszkiewicz stopped 15 shots in the first, 14 in the second, and 17 in the third to win his 16th game of the season and 27th of his career. He ranks second in the nation with his 17 wins.

Alex Tracy made 22 saves for the Mavericks and is the only goalie in the country to play more minutes than Bartoszkiewicz this season.

Tech didn’t have a power play and was 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.

Huskies 3, Mavericks 1

The Huskies scored three straight goals to defeat the Mavericks 3-1 on Friday at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. The Huskies won their fourth straight game.

“It was two really good teams going at it. I have a lot of respect for their coach and program,” Muckalt said. “After a tough first period, I liked our game in the second period. It was a one-shot game going into the third, and we got stronger as the game went on. Carson scored a dirty, old-fashioned, greasy goal to give us the lead, and Tom (Leppa) made a nice play on the empty netter.

“It was a big win, and we know it’s going to be hard again tomorrow night.”

Minnesota State opened scoring 5:52 into the game when Jordan Ronn found the back of the net from Reid Morich.

Koskipirtti tied it up 10:17 into the second period with his team-leading 10th of the season on a phenomenal passing play from Gordon, freshman defenseman Reid Andresen, and senior forward Stiven Sardarian.

Freshman forward Carson Birnie scored the game-winner with 6:16 left in the third period. Luca Fasciano dumped the puck behind the net. Birnie picked up the puck and did a wraparound that found its way in for his third goal of the season. Freshman forward Matthew Van Blaricom also assisted, extending his point streak to three games.

Minnesota State pulled its goaltender late, and Latimer scored an empty-netter from Leppa and alternate captain Jack Anderson for the final tally. It was Latimer’s fifth goal of the season.

Bartoszkiewicz made 24 saves, stopping six shots in the first, 11 in the second, and seven in the third to win his 15th game of the season and 26th of his career. Tracy stopped 26 shots on the other side of the ice.

The length of the game was less than two hours. The teams were each whistled for only one penalty.

Up next

Next up for the Huskies is a trip to Northern Michigan on Friday. The Wildcats travel to Houghton on Saturday in the second rivalry weekend of the season.