HOUGHTON, Mich. - Junior Michael-Lee Teslak recorded 31 saves
and Michigan Tech killed off a rare, 6-on-3 Denver advantage in the
final minute to gain a 2-1 Western Collegiate Hockey Association
victory at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena tonight. The Huskies
(12-17-5, 8-14-4 WCHA) gained the series split with the No.
7-ranked Pioneers (22-11-1, 16-9-1 WCHA) with the victory.
"Teslak was incredable in net tonight. He made a lot of good
saves," said head coach Jamie Russell. "I am also very proud of our
six seniors. They have all meant a lot to the program."
Tech opened scoring at the 12:41 mark of the first period as junior
Alex Lord collected a loose puck in the slot and tucked it inside
the right post past DU senior netminder Peter Mannino. Freshman
Bennett Royer and sophomore John Kivisto tallied assists on the
play.
Denver's Patrick Mullen was whistled for a five-minute checking
from behind penalty and given a game misconduct with a minute left
in the opening period.
The Huskies opened the second period with four minutes of power
play, but could not solve Mannino.
The score remained 1-0 until midway through the third period.
Junior defenseman Geoff Kinrade took the puck from the Huskies'
blue line and skated around a Pioneer defenseman before burying a
shot high over Mannino's glove side. The picturesque goal was
assisted by senior Peter Rouleau and junior Alex Gagne.
Tech maintained a two-goal lead until DU coach George Gwozdecky
elected to pull Mannino for a 6-on-4. Sophomore Rhett Rakshani drew
the Pioneers within a goal by finishing off a nice pass across the
mouth of the goal from junior Chris Butler at the 18:13 mark.
The Black and Gold appeared to ice the game with 90 seconds left to
play. Sophomore Drew Dobson's penalty had just expired, and the
sophomore directed the puck down the ice into an empty net. The
goal was disallowed as the Huskies were called for too many men on
the ice. The play came just six seconds after sophomore Mike
VanWagner was penalized for holding.
That set up DU's 6-on-3 for the final 1:30. Tech's defense stood
tall to preserve Teslak's sixth win of the season.
Denver was 1-of-8 on the power play while the Huskies were 0-3.
Mannino (21-11-1) made 19 saves on 21 shots while Teslak (6-8-4)
stopped 31-of-32.
Michigan Tech will travel to Minnesota State next Friday and
Saturday (March 7-8) to wrap up its regular season.
Notes: Tech honored its six seniors — Jordan Foote, Kevin
Hachey, Jimmy Kerr, Mark Malekoff, Peter Rouleau and Tyler Shelast
— following the game ...
