DENVER - In a hard-fought and physical game, the Michigan Tech Huskies (6-4-1, 3-3-1 WCHA) were edged by the Denver Pioneers (7-4-0, 5-2-0 WCHA) by a 1-0 score Friday night at Magness Arena. The Huskies received a 19-save performance from sophomore netminder Michael-Lee Teslak (Fernie, B.C.), but were stifled by Denver netminder Glenn Fisher, who made 31 saves in the win.

Both teams had their share of offensive opportunities in the first frame. The Huskies were awarded a 5-minute man advantage only 1:31 into the game when Denver's Geoff Paukovich was whistled for boarding, but were kept off the board by the Pioneers.

Teslak made a number of top-notch saves for the Huskies in the first period, including a spectacular sliding save on a Denver 3-on-2 rush at the 12:48 mark and a sprawling toe save on a Tyler Ruegsegger breakaway at 18:29. However, the Pioneers were able to get on the scoreboard shortly after the latter effort, as a Brock Trotter centering pass from behind the Michigan Tech goal bounced off Teslak's right skate and into the net for a power-play goal and a 1-0 Denver lead going into the first intermission.

The Huskies put 12 shots on goal in the middle stanza, but weren't able to solve Fisher. Tech's best chance came at the 9:42 mark when Alex Lord (Magog, Que.) threw a pass in front of the net from the left boards that was tipped by on goal by Derek Kitti (Laurium, Mich.). Fisher, who had already committed to his right side on the play, was able to recover and move across the crease to thwart the Huskies attempt.

It looked as if the Huskies were going to get on the board early in the third period when Phil Axtell (New Windsor, Md.) found himself all alone with the puck in front of the Denver net and Fisher out of position following an attempt by Geoff Kinrade (Nelson, B.C.). Just as Axtell released the shot, Denver's Chris Butler was able to slide into the crease and get in front of the puck to make the stop and keep the Huskies at bay.

MTU went 0-for-6 on the power play, while DU compiled a 1-for-9 mark with a man advantage.

The Huskies and the Pioneers square off Saturday night in the series finale at Magness Arena. Puck drop is set for 9:07 p.m. EST.

Notes: The Huskies are now 5-2-0 against ranked opponents this season ... Senior Mike Batovanja (Hinton, Alta.) left tonight's game and his status for Saturday's game is unknown at this time ... Denver honored 2006 Hobey Baker Award winner and current San Jose Sharks defenseman Matt Carle during the first intermission of tonight's game.