Huskies hockey drops pair on the road to Minnesota State | News, Sports, Jobs

Michigan Tech goaltender Owen Bartoszkiewicz extends to attempt a save on a shot from Minnesota State forward Alex Zetterburg during a game this weekend at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato, Minnesota. (Mitch Vosburg/For the Gazette)

MANKATO, Minn. — With a 3-0 loss on Friday and a 3-2 loss Saturday, the Michigan Tech Huskies hockey team suffered their first sweep of the season, and their first two-game losing streak, as they dropped both games to the host Minnesota State Mavericks.

With the losses, the Huskies fell to 8-5-1 on the season overall and 5-2-1 in CCHA play.

Huskies fall 3-2 at No. 14 MSU Saturday

The Huskies fell 3-2 to the Mavericks Saturday at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. They scored a pair of power-play goals, and outshot the Mavericks 29-20, but couldn’t find the equalizer late in the third period.

“We had two great periods but had a bad start to the third,” Huskies coach Bill Muckalt said. “You can’t play 55 minutes on the road against a great team, and give credit to (Alex) Tracy. He was outstanding in net, and was the difference in the hockey game.

“Our whole team played much better tonight. If we play a full 60 minutes, we can beat anybody. We just had the five-minute lapse.”

Minnesota State (8-2-4, 5-1-2 CCHA) opened the scoring 4:14 into the game when Jacob Conrad took a blast from just inside the blue line that found its way through traffic and into the back of the net. Evan Murr and Alex Zetterberg were credited with the assists.

The Huskies tied it up 11:16 into the second period on the power play when freshman defenseman Reid Andresen finished off a passing play from freshman forward Noah Reinhart and senior forward Stiven Sardarian. It was Andresen’s second goal of the season and his first on the man advantage.

The Mavericks scored twice early in the third to take a two-goal lead. A shot by Murr deflected off a Husky and across the line 65 seconds after the second intermission.

Zetterberg then put in a rebound 70 seconds later to make it a 3-1 game. Mason Wheeler and Luigi Benincasa assisted on the play.

Tech cut into the lead with a power-play goal by sophomore center Tom Leppa, after he redirected in a shot by Sardarian at 12:48 of the third. Alternate captain Jack Anderson also assisted on Leppa’s second of the season and fourth of his career.

The Huskies took a timeout and added the extra attacker with 68 seconds left in the third but didn’t manage to get a shot on goal.

Junior goaltender Owen Bartoszkiewicz made 17 saves for the Huskies, and Tracy stopped 27 shots on the other end of the ice.

Tech was 2-for-4 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.

Mavs win first of four meetings with Huskies

The Huskies fell 3-0 in Mankato to the Mavericks Friday. The Mavericks scored a goal in each period to push their unbeaten streak to five games.

“We got what we deserved,” Muckalt said. “Our puck management was not good, and we didn’t have the energy we had in practice all week.

“Give Minnesota State credit. They’re a good hockey team, but we’ve got to be better. We’ll take a deep look at video and be ready to go tomorrow night.”

Jack Smith gave the home team the lead with a power-play goal 14:47 into the first period. His first shot was blocked by Anderson, but his second shot found the upper corner of the net. Ralfs Bergmanis and Tristan Lemyre assisted on the play.

The Mavs added to the lead 11:37 into the second when Reid Morich scored on a 2-on-1 rush for his first career goal. Jacob Bonkowski was credited with an assist.

Zetterberg made it 3-0 when he scored on a 3-on-0 rush after a turnover in the neutral zone 9:38 into the third. Benincasa set up the one-timer with Liam Watkins also assisting.

Shots favored the home team 27-12 with Tech holding a 7-3 advantage in the third period. Alternate captain Max Koskipirtti and Reinhart each had two shots on goal.

Bartoszkiewicz made 24 saves for the Huskies, and Tracy earned the shutout, stopping all 12 shots he faced.

Each team was called for one penalty. There were two reviews for major penalties on the Mavericks, but neither went in favor of the Huskies.

Up next

Tech returns home for a CCHA series next weekend against St. Thomas.