Michigan Tech defenseman Jack Anderson looks for a pass from a teammate during a game against Northern Michigan Friday, Jan. 23, at the Berry Events Center in Marquette. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech University)

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — The No. 17 Michigan Tech Huskies hockey team surrendered a 2-0 lead Friday to battle to a 2-2 tie with the Lake Superior State Lakers at the Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie. Saturday, it was the Huskies’ chance to flip the script, as they came back from two goals down and then scored in overtime to win, 5-4.

With the win and the tie, the Huskies improved to 21-10-3 overall and 16-5-3 in CCHA play. The Huskies currently sit first in the conference with a one-point lead over St. Thomas.

Huskies 5, Lakers 4 (OT)

The Huskies were twice down two goals but completed a comeback with a 5-4 overtime victory at Lake Superior State Saturday night. Freshman forward Teydon Trembecky scored twice, including the game-winner, to keep the Huskies undefeated in the extra session this season.

“It was a hard-fought weekend, and I think these three points will be big at the end of the year here,” Huskies coach Bill Muckalt said. “Their team played hard, but I’m really proud of our third period. We didn’t give up or give in. Trem made two big plays with two big goals. He has the knack to do that.

“We were tired and a little banged up, but it was a gritty effort. I’m proud of our team, and now we get a much-needed weekend off.”

Lake Superior State (9-19-2, 6-15-1 CCHA) scored 2:45 into the third period to take a 3-1 lead. While skating 4-on-4, Carter Batchelder put in a loose puck in the slot. Connor Milburn and Bryan Huggins were credited with the assists.

It took a while, but the Huskies finally found a spark. Sophomore forward Elias Jansson dug the puck out from behind the net and fed Trembecky for a one-timer, and the Huskies were down 4-3 with 5:43 left in regulation. Freshman forward Noah Reinhart added the second assist on Trembecky’s 12th of the season.

Muckalt added the extra attacker with 2:35 left. Lake Superior State iced the puck four times before the Huskies got set up in the offensive zone. Senior forward Stiven Sardarian slid the puck across, and alternate captain Jack Anderon blasted in the tying goal with 1:55 left. Anderson scored for the fifth straight game and put in his 11th goal of the season, while Trembecky added the second assist.

In overtime, both goaltenders made monstrous saves to extend the game. Junior goaltender Owen Bartoszkiewicz stoned Hunter Ramos on a breakaway, and moments later, Reinhart found himself alone on Rorke Applebee but was stopped.

Trembecky stole the puck in the offensive zone and went in on a breakaway. He faked a shot, and then made a move to the backhand for the game winner with 1:19 left, scoring his 13th goal of the season.

“Up and down the lineup, we all have belief that we can come back. We know the game is never over, and that showed tonight,” Trembecky said. “I was able to find an extra gear and give whatever I had left, and I was able to come away with a couple of goals. I’m happy with how it went.”

Alternate captain Max Koskipirtti opened scoring with 2:05 left in the first, blasting in a one-timer on the power play from Anderson. Sophomore forward Tom Leppa also assisted on Koskipirtti’s 12th of the season and the 23rd of his career.

Lake Superior State quickly tied it up 53 seconds later when Adam Barone carried the puck through and scored from Tyson Galloway.

The Lakers took the lead 4:27 into the second period on their first power play of the weekend. Johnny Druskinis had a long one-timer from the point from Connor Milburn and Batchelder.

The home team made it a two-goal lead when Reagan Milburn scored on a backdoor pass from Sasha Teleguine midway through the game. Galloway added the second assist.

Captain Isaac Gordon drew the Huskies to within one with 3:51 left in the second, sending a wrist shot towards the net that found its way in. Gordon’s sixth of the season and 31st of his career was assisted by Koskipirtti and freshman defenseman Kalem Parker.

Shots in the game favored Lake Superior State 43-35. Bartoszkiewicz won his 21st game of the season and 32nd of his career with 39 saves. Applebee stopped 30 shots on the other end of the ice.

Tech was 3-for-4 on the penalty kill and 1-for-2 on the power play.

Sardarian extended his point streak to six games while Koskipirtti and Anderson are riding five-game point streaks.

Huskies 2, Lakers 2

The Huskies skated to a 2-2 tie at Lake Superior State Friday. The Lakers earned the extra CCHA point in the shootout.

“It was a tough result tonight,” Muckalt said. “Their goalie played really well and was the difference in the game. We had two good power-play goals, but had a breakdown on their first goal, and we didn’t block a shot on the tying goal. We had our chances, but now we need to put it into the rearview mirror. It’s all about tomorrow.”

Anderson gave the Huskies the lead 8:15 into the second period, scoring for the fourth straight game. With the Huskies on the power play, he took a wrist shot from the faceoff dot to the left of the goaltender, while Leppa provided a screen out front. Koskipirtti and Sardarian assisted on the play.

Anderson gave the Huskies a 2-0 lead with another power-play goal 48 seconds later. He blasted a one-timer from the same spot with Sardarian and Koskipirtti again assisting. It was Anderson’s 10th goal of the season and 14th of his career.

The Lakers responded at 14:11 of the second period when Evan Bushy scored on a rush from Reagan Milburn and William Ahlrik.

Lake Superior State added the extra attacker and tied the game with 28.9 seconds left when Ryan Beck found the back of the net on a shot through traffic from Connor Milburn and Mangone.

The Huskies led in shots 5-2 in overtime and had a 2-on-0 breakaway, but Applebee made the save as part of a 31-save performance.

Adam Barone scored for the Lakers in the shootout. Koskipirtti, Trembecky, and Sardarian weren’t able to capitalize on their chances.

Bartoszkiewicz had 18 saves for the Huskies.

Tech didn’t commit a penalty and was 2-for-3 on the power play.

Up next

Tech takes next weekend off before wrapping up the regular season on Feb. 27-28 at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena against Bowling Green.