HOUGHTON, Mich. - The Michigan Tech hockey team opened WCHA play
with a 5-2 victory over Minnesota State Friday (Oct. 15) at the
John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. The Huskies remain undefeated
(3-0-1, 1-0-0) on the season while the Mavericks remain winless
(0-1-2, 0-1-0).
Tech built up a 2-0 lead in the first period thanks to goals by
freshman Dennis Rix and senior Eric Kattelus at 10:37 and 14:17,
respectively.
Maverick freshman J.P. Burkemper closed out the scoring in the
first period with an even strength goal at 17:24.
MSU would open the second period with its second goal of the game
at 1:42, but the Tech power play, which entered the contest tied
for the most productive in the nation, answered with two goals on
the man advantage.
Sophomore Steven Seigo netted the first power-play goal for the
Huskies at 18:40 of the second period. Kattelus and senior Deron
Cousens each assisted on the goal. Cousens currently leads the WCHA
in assists with seven.
Junior Brett Olson added another power-play goal for the Huskies
with 19 seconds remaining in the period.
Mankato pressed hard offensively in the third period, but the Tech
defense stood strong giving up just eight shots in the period
compared to 29 over the previous two.
Junior Alex MacLeod wrapped up the scoring for the Huskies with an
empty net, short-handed goal with six seconds remaining.
"I thought we were lousy the first two periods five-on-five," said
head coach Jamie Russell. "Our puck movement was horrendous. We had
too many turnovers. We had too many odd man rushes. The third
period was really solid as we tightened things up."
Sophomore Kevin Genoe made 35 saves on 37 shots to record his
second win of the year.
Tech finished two-for-seven on the power play and held Minnesota
State scoreless on all six of its chances on the man advantage.
MSU finished with a 37-27 advantage in shots.
Tech will strive for the weekend sweep of Minnesota State tomorrow
night.
