BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The Michigan Tech hockey team defeated Ferris State 3-2 on Friday at Ewigleben Ice Arena, coming back from a one-goal third-period deficit. Stiven Sardarian scored the game-winner and the Huskies improved to 9-6-2 overall and 6-3-2 in the CCHA.
 
"It was a tight and physical game. Things weren't going our way, but we stuck with it and earned it in the end," Tech coach Bill Muckalt said. "Give Ferris State credit. They're a good hockey team, but we had a lot of guys play well, and Stiv delivered for us late, again."
 
FSU took its second lead of the night 5:46 into the third period with a fluky goal by Tyler Schleppe that deflected across the line.
 
The Huskies went to work, looking for their first win in four games, outshooting the Bulldogs 9-4 in the third.
 
Elias Jansson tied the game at 13:36, scoring his third of the season when he found a loose puck in front of the crease and flipped in his 15th career goal. Noah Reinhart and Luca Fasciano assisted on the goal.
 
Stiven Sardarian scored on a similar play but a little further out for Tech's first lead of the night. Isaac Gordon and Max Koskipirtti got whacks at the puck before Sardarian sent in his seventh of the season.
 
The Bulldogs added the extra attacker with 2:10 left. Owen Bartoszkiewicz had to make a pair of saves down the stretch, while Isaac Gordon and Jack Anderson each had a block to protect the lead.
 
The Huskies had three power plays in the first period, and 1:41 of 5-on-3, but neither team found the back of the net in the opening 20:00.
 
FSU opened scoring 4:23 into the second period when Jack Silich buried a one-timer in the slot after a pass from the corner off the stick of John Lundy.
 
Max Koskipirtti tied the game after scoring his seventh of the season 2:20 after the Bulldogs took the lead. Koskipirtti fired the puck past the glove for his 18th career goal with assists going to Stiven Sardarian and Isaac Gordon.
 
The Huskies then thought they took the lead 42 seconds later, after Reid Daavettila jammed the puck across the line, but the play was challenged and waved off for goaltender interference.
 
Tech held a 25-24 advantage on shots on goal. Owen Bartoszkiewicz won his ninth game of the season and the 20th of his career with 22 saves. Martin Lundberg also stopped 22 shots on the other end of the ice.
 
The Huskies and Bulldogs will meet for a fourth time on Saturday to wrap up the CCHA series. The puck drops at 6:07 p.m.