Michigan Tech forward Stiven Sardarian looks for a teammate to pass the puck to during a game against Minnesota State Friday, Jan. 16, at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — With just two games left in the season, the No. 16 Michigan Tech Huskies hockey team sits in a tie for second place in the CCHA standings. With a record of 16-5-3 in conference play, the Huskies are tied with the No. 17 St. Thomas Tommies, with both squads chasing the No. 15 Augustana Vikings, who have a two-point advantage.

However, the Vikings are off this weekend, while the Huskies battle the Bowling Green State Falcons at home, and the Tommies face the Bemidji State Beavers on the road.

“There’s no question, we understand what’s at stake,” said Huskies coach Bill Muckalt. “We had a good conversation Monday with the group, (and) explained all the different scenarios and possibilities. At the end of the day, (you have to) take care of your own business.”

Muckalt said that he spent a lot of time watching film from several games.

“I watched a lot of hockey last weekend, how competitive the games were, not only St. Thomas/ Augustana, but the two games between Mankato (Minnesota State) and ‘BG’ were spirited affairs, to say the least. So, we understand that there’s no surprises at this time of year. We know how hard it is, but we’re in a position where we can control our own destiny with as far as at least securing co-champions of the McNaughton Cup. Having said that, Friday night’s going to be a huge game.”

While there were a number of players in the Minnesota State/Bowling Green game Friday night that got tangled up, Muckalt has stressed to his team all season the importance of staying disciplined.

“We’re a disciplined hockey team,” he said. “We want to play hard between the whistles, and we want to play the game the right way. So, that’s kind of always been our message. I think we’ve done a good job with that.

“It’s playing hard between the whistles, and putting your best foot forward, shift after shift. We’ve got to be great in the forecheck. We’ve got to check, and we have to play well defensively, stay out of the box, and try and win the special teams game. Those will be key factors for our group.”

One player who has shown marked improvement in that category is senior forward Stiven Sardarian. Sardarian has 11 goals and a team-high 30 assists for a team-leading 41 points in 32 games. He has taken the most penalties on the team with 13 minors for 26 minutes, but that is less than the 20 penalties he took last season for 51 minutes.

“I think you’re competitive as an athlete, and he’s certainly competitive,” Muckalt said. “He wants to have success. He’s got long term goals, and he’s got pride. He’s a very proud player. So, it’s a fine line. You need the competitiveness, but you have to focus it into, and channel it, to your next shift. That’s the most important thing.

“I think part of that is his maturity as a person, as a player, to understand that, and take the frustration and to kind of put that in his next shift. I think we’ve seen tremendous growth in him in that way. Really proud of that. He gets special attention. When you’re one of the best players out there, other teams are going to try and get him off his game. He’s done a really good job in maintaining his composure and channeling that, and he’s had a fantastic year.”

Sardarian will be one of five Huskies who will see the end of their final regular season in Black and Gold this weekend. Included in that list are alternate captains Jack Anderson and Joe Prouty, who played last season for Muckalt at Lindenwood, alongside junior goaltender Owen Bartoszkiewicz.

Muckalt is proud of how far all three have come this season, while also having personal success along the way.

“It’s rewarding to see players have success when they put in the work, and they invest in their game,” he said. “It doesn’t just happen overnight. It takes a lot of work. I think, for each of them, it’s been really rewarding to see their growth. We have a lot of players, not just them that are having success and taking steps. But, I think that’s the one thing that is rewarding as a coach. That’s why you coach is to help people grow on the ice, off the ice, as people. To see their growth, and see the success, and have them play in meaningful games. We have a lot to play for here down the stretch, and we know it’s going to be a battle, but I’ll go to battle with those guys anytime.”

Scouting the Falcons

The Falcons come into this weekend 16-9-7 overall and 13-7-4 in CCHA play after battling to a loss and a tie against the Mavericks last weekend.

Senior forward Quinn Emerson leads the Falcons in scoring with nine goals and 30 points in 32 games. Junior forward Tyler Hotson has a team-high 11 goals and 27 points. Junior forward Ben Doran has seven goals and 27 points.

In net, senior Cole Moore and freshman Jacob Steinman have split duties. Moore has started 13 games, going 5-4-3 with a 2.40 goals against average and .912 save percentage. Steinman has appeared in 16 games, starting 14. He is 8-3-3 with a 2.14 goals against average and a .921 save percentage.

Game times

The Huskies and Falcons will battle Friday at 7:07 p.m. at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Saturday, the teams will face off at 6:07 p.m.