Michigan Tech forward Stiven Sardarian makes a pass during a game against Bowling Green State Friday at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — If you ask the No. 20-ranked Michigan Tech Huskies hockey coach Bill Muckalt, he will tell you that his team has already played in playoff games this season. Their regular season finale series against the Bowling Green State Falcons felt like a playoff series, one where the Huskies gained just one point in a pair of games decided by two goals combined.

“It was a playoff atmosphere,” Muckalt said. “They’re one-shot hockey games. I thought we did a lot of good things, a lot of good effort. Maybe (we) want to clean up a couple things. From an execution standpoint, there’s not much separation. (There’s) a lot of equality in our league. It could have gone either way.

Muckalt gave credit to the Falcons, who closed the gap with the Huskies in terms of the standings to earn the right to face them again in the playoffs.

“It’s all about the playoffs now, and, obviously, it’s do or die, so it’s an exciting time,” he said. “But, give Bowling Green credit. They’re a well-coached team. They found a way to make another play, but it doesn’t change anything for us. We’re over it now.

“It’s all about Friday night. We’ve got home ice, which is a real plus, and a real bonus, to earn that. So, it should be a great atmosphere Friday.”

With the losses, the Huskies fell to 21-12-3 overall and 16-7-3 in conference play, which earned them the fourth seed. Getting another chance to face the Falcons so soon presents an interesting challenge for the Huskies.

“I think there’s a familiarity, right, in that you don’t have a new pre-scout,” said Muckalt. “You probably would evaluate, show video, and get ready for your next opponent. Instead, you’re showing video, and then you’re getting ready for the same opponent, and can make the adjustments accordingly.”

Falcons goaltender Tyler Palmer, a sophomore, filling in for injured freshman Jacob Steinman, was outstanding throughout the weekend, earning a shutout on Friday, and making enough saves Saturday to earn the second win.

“He found a way to keep the puck out of the net Friday,” said Muckalt. “We’re up 3-2 (Saturday), missed a faceoff assignment, had plenty of chances when it was 3-all, and then they made a play in overtime.”

The weekend was also a learning experience for the Huskies’ 12 freshmen about how tight playoff hockey becomes, compared to the typically more regular season. They will lean heavily on the experience of their top line, which includes alternate captain Max Koskipirtti centering senior Stiven Sardarian and captain Isaac Gordon. The trio lead the Huskies in several categories, but none bigger than offensively, as Sardarian has 11 goals and 42 points in 34 games, Koskipirtti has 13 goals and 34 points in 36 games, and Gordon has six goals and 26 points in 35 games.

“Well, your leaders need to be your best players,” said Muckalt. “They’ve carried a lot of the load for us, especially early, helping bring the freshmen with such a big young group and a new group. They’ve been really good for us. We’ve had a lot of bright spots.”

When trying to assess how this weekend’s playoff series could go, Muckalt admits his team needs to understand that there is little room for mistakes.
”Obviously, they’re a formidable opponent,” he said. “It could very well go three games, but we just have to make one more play each night. I think we probably deserved better Friday night, but (then) you’re sitting there having a whole different conversation. Everything’s roses. The reality is, it’s not roses, whether you won or you lost. It’s about Friday night. It’s do or die now.

“That’s kind of the mentality, really. If you’re a competitor, that’s where it is. It’s all about the next game, the next day, and getting back to it today (Tuesday) in practice, and trying to improve on some things.”

One player who might want last weekend back is junior goaltender Owen Bartoszkiewicz, who has been the Huskies’ backbone all season long. Muckalt said that he feels his netminder will be ready for the playoffs.

“I let (assistant coach) L.J. (Scarpace) handle that more with the coaching technical side, with him being a goalie, and Bart being a goalie,” said Muckalt, “but I have so much confidence in him. I know nothing changes from that standpoint. I’ll take him anytime, anywhere, and it’s a great opportunity, and, obviously, a big challenge.”

Scouting the Falcons

The Bowling Green State Falcons finished the regular season 18-9-7 overall and 15-7-4 in CCHA play after sweeping the Huskies last weekend, 1-0 and 4-3 in overtime.

Senior forward Quinn Emerson leads the Falcons in scoring with 10 goals and 31 points in 34 games. Junior forward Ben Doran has seven goals and a team-high 22 assists for 29 points in 34 games. Junior Tyler Hotson had a team-high 12 goals and 28 points in 33 games.

Palmer has appeared in 10 games this season, starting seven of them. He is 5-2-1 overall, with a 2.15 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.

Game times

The Huskies and Falcons open their CCHA quarterfinal series Friday at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena, with the opening faceoff set for 7:07 p.m. Saturday, the teams will be back at it, this time at 6:07 p.m. Should a third and deciding game be needed, it would be Sunday, starting at 5:07 p.m.