Michigan Tech forward Carson Latimer carries the puck towards the net before scoring a goal in the second period of a game against Bowling Green State Saturday at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — With a regulation loss Friday and an overtime loss Saturday, the No. 16 Michigan Tech Huskies earned one point on the weekend against the Bowling Green State Falcons at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena. That one point proved crucial, as the Huskies clinched the fourth and final home playoff spot and will host the Falcons again in the opening round of the Mason Cup Tournament.

The Huskies finished the regular season 21-12-3 overall, and 16-7-3 in conference play.

Falcons 4, Huskies 3

The Huskies led 3-2 going into the final frame Saturday, but could not hold off the Falcons, who pressed until they tied things, forcing overtime. In the extra session, the Falcons forced a turnover and then pounced on a rebound to earn a 4-3 win.

The game-winning goal was scored by the Falcons’ Jackson Niedermayer, who got to a rebound off a shot from Ben Doran and he buried it behind Huskies goaltender Owen Bartoszkiewicz just 41 seconds in.

Michigan Tech felt that a penalty should have been called prior to the goal when alternate captain Max Koskipirtti was knocked down, creating the turnover that led to the goal.

“Really tough non call in overtime,” said Huskies coach Bill Muckalt. “There’s no question the guy sticks his leg out, and into ‘Kosk’ (Koskipirtti). It’s a change of possession, a shot off the pads, free hands, and a bounce.”

The Falcons struck first just 3:47 into the game when Quinn Emerson jumped into the offensive zone on a 2-on-1, took a pass from Jaden Grant and buried it.

The Huskies responded while on the power play in the second period when Koskipirtti found a spot in the low right circle and one-timed a pass from senior forward Stiven Sardarian into the net at 2:41. Alternate captain Jack Anderson also assisted on the play.

The Huskies took the lead for the first time on the weekend when sophomore forward Elias Janssen took a pass while skating down the right boards. He carried it to near the Zamboni door, then fed it out front and right to freshman forward Teydon Trembecky, who buried a one-timer of his own at 5:54. Captain Isaac Gordon picked up the second assist.

On a power play of their own, Bowling Green evened the game at 2-2 when Gustav Stjernberg beat Bartoszkiewicz with a wrist shot from the left point at 13:06.

Michigan Tech regained the lead at 15:55 when sophomore forward Carson Latimer beat Falcons goaltender Tyler Palmer. Freshman forward Reid Daavettila and alternate captain Joe Prouty earned assists on the goal.

Bartoszkiewicz finished with 30 saves in the loss. Palmer stopped 18 to earn the win.

Falcons 1, Huskies 0

Despite throwing 30 shots at Palmer, the Huskies could not put one behind him in a 1-0 loss Friday night.

“We didn’t have any puck luck tonight,” Muckalt said. “I thought we had a lot of chances. Give their goalie credit. Anytime you get a goalie gets a shutout (it’s impressive). I liked ‘Bart’s’ (Bartoszkiewicz) game. I liked our effort. I thought we were really good.

“It was a good hockey game. That was a playoff, intense, hockey game, for sure. We just couldn’t get that equalizer. We couldn’t. I think that would have got our just the momentum and the crowd into it, and just really changed that game. We couldn’t quite get that tonight.”

The one puck that beat either goaltender was one that rolled deep into the Huskies’ end before Dominik Rymon slapped it up and under the crossbar, over Bartoszkiewicz’s shoulder at 4:31 of the second period.

“We were kind of in a line change in the neutral zone,” said Muckalt. “We got on the wrong side of a player, and the puck rolled. Heck of a shot. It was an unbelievable shot. Rolling puck, probably the only place it could have went in.

“Loved Bart’s game. I really liked our game. We had some looks on the power play, and we couldn’t get that goal to go. It was waiting for that momentum like it usually does. Obviously, a disappointing result, but there’s still a lot at play here still tonight, and then home ice tomorrow. I know we’ll bounce back and be ready.”

The Huskies were even awarded 3:55 combined of 5-on-4 power play due to overlapping penalties on the Falcons. Sardarian had multiple looks from the left point, and Anderson had a blast from the right circle that Palmer might not have seen before it hit him.

“We had some chances,” Muckalt said. “I thought ‘Ando’ (Anderson) had a really good look. It was off his shoulder. I’m not even sure he saw it. It just hit him. But, we had some chances to generate.

“We had some plays, and tip your hat. They’re a good team, too. They’re a well-coached team. I thought it was a real playoff-like (atmosphere), a good hockey game. A lot of physicality in it. So, I thought, other than the result, we maybe deserved a little bit better. But, we get a chance to bounce back tomorrow night.”

Bartoszkiewicz stopped 17 for the Huskies in the loss.

Up next

The Huskies will host the Falcons again to open the CCHA Tournament and the chase for the Mason Cup. The best-of-three series will start Friday at 7:07 p.m. at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena. The teams will play again Saturday. Should a third and deciding game be needed, it would be Sunday evening.