Huskies hockey ready to take on UP rival
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HOUGHTON -- With a pair of ties where they earned the two extra points in shootout wins, the No. 13 Michigan Tech Huskies hockey team had a very strong showing against the then-No. 8 Augustana Vikings at home at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena. With the pair of ties, the Huskies improved to 6-2-2 overall and 1-1-2 in CCHA play.
"I thought the weekend was electric," said Huskies coach Bill Muckalt. "Hats off to Augustana, great hockey team, extremely well coached. I thought (it was) just a great weekend for college hockey.
"The entertainment value was, I think, fans were on the edge of their seats. I just love our band, love our fans, our students. Just an awesome venue for college hockey. I thought the 'Mac' was electric. If you can’t get up for a game like that, a weekend like that, then you’re in the wrong business."
Muckalt was especially proud of how things came together Friday night.
"I was really proud of the effort of our guys," Muckalt said. "I thought we dug in. We played hard. Obviously, that game on Friday with 'Bart’s' (Owen Bartoszkiewicz) save, which was spectacular, and then to come back down and score, I think was a big sequence for our team. I think if we were going to go down two goals at that point, but heck of a save, and then great finish there from (Teydon) Trembecky off of the shot off the pads by 'Koski' (Max Koskipirtti)."
Having Trembecky, a sophomore forward, back in the lineup this past weekend proved a boost for the Huskies. He scored a goal and added an assist Friday night before scoring the game-winning goal in the shootout to give the Huskies the extra point.
"I think Friday night’s game was probably one of the best games, probably the best game, I’ve ever seen him play that I’ve coached him," said Muckalt. "He scored the shootout winner, made a great play pass and assist, and scored a goal. But, he is a big deal for us. He drives our offense. When he’s going, we’re a better team."
As good a pass as Trembecky's was, it needed the finish from sophomore defenseman Luke Shipley, who scored his third goal of the season on the play to tie the game at 2-2.
"He’s got offensive instincts, and he won his race," Muckalt said. "I think it’s just a great play by 'Trem' to recognize that 'Ship’s' coming, and (a) really well placed shot by Ship, but big goal for our team."
Junior defenseman Tyler Miller, who is usually paired with Shipley, also had a strong weekend, which led to his being named CCHA Defenseman of the Week. He had an assist Friday on Shipley's goal, then had an assist Saturday on senior forward Lauri Raiman's goal before scoring one of his own.
"I thought he was fantastic," said Muckalt. "(He) made a play Saturday night on Lauri Raiman’s first goal off a faceoff win. Obviously, scored a power play goal that was big to give us a lead on Saturday night. But his skating, he kind of is one of those players that when he’s gliding, he seems to pick up speed. He’s such a smooth skater. He’s a fun player to watch, fun player to coach. He’s doing some great things for our program, for our team."
Speaking of Raiman, Muckalt was proud of the way the fourth-year forward performed in his first action of the season.
"I’m a big fan of Lauri Raiman," Muckalt said. "He’s really popular with the guys, and the team. He’s got a lot of respect. He’s a team guy. It’s a great problem to have when you can insert a player into the lineup and not just score, I was so excited about how he contributed, played rock solid defensively, managed the puck, making plays, and getting rewarded like that.
"That’s what you want as a coach, guys come in and make a difference and add value to our lineup. He’s doing that, and if he keeps going like that, it’s going to make it hard to take him out of the lineup."
Scouting the Lakers
The Lake Superior State Lakers come into this weekend 2-4-2 overall and 0-2-2 in CCHA play after a weekend where they split with Maryville at home.
The Lakers are led offensively by junior forward Charles Savoie. Savoie has three goals and a team-high eight assists for 11 points. Freshman forward Cooper Foster has been very good, scoring two goals and nine points in his first eight games.
Freshman goaltender Anders Miller has started five games, going 1-2-2 with a 2.94 goals against average and a .899 save percentage. He has been splitting the net with sophomore Andrew Oke, who is 1-2 with a 4.05 goals against average and a .889 save percentage.
Game times
The Huskies and Lakers will meet Friday at 7:07 p.m. at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. Saturday, the teams will battle again, this time at 6:07 p.m.