DULUTH, Minn. - Despite holding a 40-30 advantage in shots,
Michigan Tech came out on the losing end as it dropped a 4-1
decision to Minnesota Duluth Saturday night.
Junior Michael-Lee Teslak made 26 saves and allowed two goals for
the Huskies (5-6-1, 4-5-1) while his counterpart sophomore Alex
Stalock made 39 saves for the Bulldogs (5-3-2, 4-3-1).
"Tonight we played hard and we played smart. If we play like that
every night, we are going to win a lot of games," said head coach
Jamie Russell.
Senior Jimmy Kerr sent a message to the Bulldogs that the Huskies
would not back off with his hit on junior Michael Gergen that sent
his stick flying into the Michigan Tech bench that forced him to
skate to the Bulldog bench for a new one.
Freshman Jordan Baker gave the Huskies its best scoring opportunity
of the period when his shot was saved by Stalock.
Despite a 16-9 advantage in shots in the period, it would be the
Bulldogs that would score the first goal of the night. Senior Matt
McKnight scored high glove side to give Minnesota Duluth a 1-0
lead. He was assisted by junior Josh Meyers and senior Travis
Gawryletz on the goal at 7:16 of the second period.
The Huskies nearly tied the game on it's next power play but a
critical kick save by Stalock maintained the Bulldog lead.
The Bulldogs made the most of an extra attacker on a delayed
penalty with a goal by junior Josh Meyers at 18:17. He was assisted
by sophomore Trent Palm and junior MacGregor Sharp.
Senior Tyler Shelast, who scored the lone Tech goal last night on
the power play, gave the Huskies some much needed life with his
power play goal at 7:49 of the third period. Sophomore Drew Dobson
picked up the assist.
The Huskies pulled the goalie with one minute remaining for the
extra skater but they came out on the short end as the Bulldogs
scored an empty net goal at 19:38.
Michigan Tech also pulled Teslak shortly after the ensuing face off
but the Bulldogs quickly capitalized with its second empty net goal
of the night with six seconds remaining.
The Huskies finished the evening 1-4 on the power play while the
Bulldogs were 0-4.
Notes: The second period was delayed for over 10 minutes due to a
malfunction with the Zamboni machine that left large quantities of
slush on the ice.