PALM DESERT, Calif. – The Michigan Tech hockey team wrapped up non-conference play with a 4-3 overtime victory over Holy Cross in the Coachella Valley Cactus Cup consolation game on Saturday at Acrisure Arena. Logan Morrell scored 33 seconds into overtime as the Huskies improved to 11-7-2 overall.
 
"We got better as the game went on like we've seen from our team the last few games where our third period has been our best period," Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. "I'm happy for Ryan for getting the win between the pipes in his first start, and I'm happy for Blais for getting that goal. Holy Cross is a good hockey team, but we saw Logan and Stiven step up again in a critical time."

Junior Stiven Sardarian factored into three of the four goals, tallying a goal and two assists. He is on a three-game point streak with a goal and six assists over the stretch. He leads the CCHA with 26 points and ranks second in the NCAA with 17 assists.
 
Matthew Campbell opened scoring 10:02 into the game with his fourth of the season. While the teams skated 4-on-4, Sardarian took the puck out of the corner and fed a streaking Campbell for a quick one-timer.
 
Holy Cross tied it up 1:33 later with a power-play goal by Jack Stockfish. He put in a loose puck in the crease with Liam McLinskey and Devin Phillips getting credited with the assists.
 
The Crusaders then took the lead 9:31 into the second period when Timothy Heinke put in his own rebound with Edward Moskowitz assisting.
 
Blais Richartz tied it at two with his first of the season at 15:28 of the second. Matthew Campbell entered the zone to Jack Works. Richartz was in alone on the goaltender and chipped the puck over the goaltender's blocker for his fifth career goal.
 
Tech regained its lead 37 seconds into the third when Stiven Sardarian fired a wrist shot past the glove for his team-leading ninth of the season. Logan Morrell and Isaac Gordon assisted on Sardarian's 18th NCAA goal.
 
Holy Cross again tied it up 90 seconds later when Jack Stockfish scored his second of the game from Liam McLinskey and William Troutwine.
 
In the OT, the Crusaders got the puck deep into their offensive zone. Chase Pietila created at turnover and Stiven Sardarian set up Logan Morrell for the game-winner on a 2-on-1. Morrell one-timed it five-hole for his team-leading ninth of the season which ranks second amongst NCAA freshmen. Pietila now has an assist in six straight games.
 
"I didn't have to do much. It was all Sardarian," Morrell said. "I just had to put a twig on it. He's a super good player and does things other players don't. You just have to get to open areas and he'll find you."
 
The Crusaders led in shots 25-22, despite the Huskies dominating the third 10-3. Ryan Manzella made his first collegiate start and stopped 22 shots to earn his second win—both overtime victories. Louden Hogg had 18 saves on the other end of the ice.
 
Tech finished the non-conference schedule with a 4-4 record. The wins were over Holy Cross, Northern Michigan, and twice against Alaska. The losses were to current No. 4 Western Michigan, No. 10 UMass Lowell, and No. 20 Clarkson (twice).
 
The Huskies return home next weekend to host Lake Superior State at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Saturday is the annual Marketplace Foods of Houghton Kids Day with a ticket giveaway on Tuesday for 500 youth.