Huskies hockey stuns Golden Gophers again
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HOUGHTON -- In an unusual Sunday afternoon tilt, the No. 19 Michigan Tech Huskies hockey team did the seemingly unthinkable in sweeping the No. 14 Minnesota Golden Gophers with a 3-1 victory at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena. It was the first time the Huskies swept Minnesota since 2005.
In the words of coach Bill Muckalt, the Huskies (2-0 overall) had a great start to the game, had to hold off the Gophers (0-2 overall) in the middle frame, and then closed strong.
"Really happy with our first period," he said. "I thought we were tenacious and smothering and came out (strong). Give Minnesota credit, I thought they really turned it up in the second period. We started turning pucks over. We started trading chances and got away from our structure and identity.
"(We) challenged the team, in between the second and third, about our shift length and just some different things. We have to play to our brand and our identity. They’re (Minnesota) a heck of a hockey team. They gave us everything. They’re going to win a lot of hockey games. Brett Larson, their staff, and their players are very good, but I liked our third period."
Despite outshooting the Gophers 11-5 in the first 20 minutes, the Huskies had nothing to show for their efforts. Then, just 6:12 into the second period, junior winger Connor Roulette found some open space and called for a pass from junior defenseman Tyler Miller, who placed a pass where only Roulette could get it and he wired it home for his first as a Husky.
"I just put my head down and shoot as hard as I can most of the time, but one-timers like that, you just want to get it on net as quick as you can," said Roulette. "I was able to beat the goalie to that far post."
Roulette figured that, even though he called for the pass, Miller must have known where he was prior to the pass. Once he buried it, he was greeted by a very happy Michigan Tech-friendly crowd.
"Obviously, Tyler Miller with a great pass," Roulette said. "All I really had to do is get open and let him know I was there, but I think he knew from the get go, and he made a great pass.
"It’s an awesome crowd to score in front of. They’re nice and loud."
The game remained 1-0 in favor of the Huskies until the third period, when sophomore winger Carson Birnie was whistled for a major penalty for boarding.
Huskies assistant captain Owen Bartoszkiewicz nearly shut down the power play by himself as the Huskies netminder stopped five shots before the sixth one, a shot from the slot by Mason Moe, found the net at 8:12.
Looking for a response, Muckalt and his staff urged the Huskies to get back to what they were doing well, and drew their third power play of the night at 16:13 when Moe took a hooking penalty.
Just 1:01 into the advantage, sophomore winger Teyden Trembecky, who had been around the net all weekend, buried a pass from sophomore winger Noah Reinhart to put the Huskies back in the lead.
"I think I had a lot of chances," he said. "It’s kind of hockey sometimes, you don’t get the ones that you think are going to go, maybe. but, obviously big to get that one. That one felt good."
Trembecky had been circling in the right circle, which allowed him to find some time and space when he needed it most.
"I think that’s kind of just kind of the power play, just kind of finding a hole and hopefully someone sees you," he said, "We’re lucky. It was a great pass by Reinhart there. I was lucky he had (seen me)."
Larson pulled Gophers goaltender Luca Di Pasquo with 1:29 to go, and they got the puck behind the Huskies' net. However, a pass from junior winger Elias Janssen to sophomore winger Matthew Van Blaricom helped spring the second-year forward out of the defensive zone. Van Blaricom made two quick moves and flew past two Minnesota defenders before finding himself alone with the empty net, where he deposited the puck for his third goal of the weekend.
"At the end, (that was a) heck of a play by Ellas Janssen to spring Matty Van Blaricom there," said Muckalt. "So, that was great to see."
Muckalt was proud of how all the depth players found a way to chip in all weekend long.
"'Gordo' (co-captain Isaac Gordon) was out this weekend, so the next man up," Muckalt said. "We had a lot of guys stepping up, and a lot of guys contributing in many ways. I think we’re better in some areas of the game tonight than were even on [Saturday]. But, we’ve had some really positive guys take steps from last year. (With) that development, and look comfortable. They look stronger. They know what the standard is, what the expectation is, and it’s really fun to coach those guys and see that growth."
Bartoszkiewicz finished with 29 saves to earn the win, his second of the season.
"He made some really good saves," said Muckalt. "I think he’s playing the puck extremely well as well, with the new rules and the trapezoid. He looks confident in there, so I think it’s a big deal. He knows that we believe in him, we have confidence in him, and he’s the backbone of our team."
Up next
The Huskies hit the road for the first time this weekend as they face St. Cloud State in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Friday night's game will be at 8:07 p.m. Eastern, with Saturday's contest starting at 7 p.m.