Tech splits another ranked team

By Joseph Lakeland / MTU Beat Writer

Can anyone explain the play of the Michigan Tech Huskies this season?

Games they should win, they lose. And games they should lose, they win.

It’s been an up and down season for head coach Jamie Russell and the Huskies and it was on display again over the weekend as the Black and Gold split a two-game set on the road at #9 Minnesota State.

The Huskies gave up four, second period goals and were shellacked 5-2 by the Mavericks at the Alltel Center on Friday night.

Mick Berge led the Mavericks with a pair of goals and Mike Zacharias made 31 saves in net.

Malcolm Gwilliam and Mark Malekoff scored the goals for MTU.

Michael-Lee Teslak started in net for the Huskies, but was yanked after giving up 5 goals on 23 shots. Rob Nolan played the final 20 minutes and stopped all 13 shots he faced.

It was a different Huskies team that showed up on Saturday night as MTU outplayed Minnesota State en route to a 3-2 squeaker win.

“Our play tonight was a stark contrast to last night,” said Russell. “We played well in front of both nets.”

Eric Kattelus, Alex Gagne, and Geoff Kinrade all scored by the 13:22 mark of the second period to spot Tech a 3-0 lead.

Jason Wiley and Kael Mouillierat lit the lamp in the third for the Mavericks, but Teslak shut the door from there to preserve the victory.

Teslak stopped 23 shots for his 7th win of the season.

Zacharias made 30 stops on the other end for Mankato.

With the split, Michigan Tech (13-18-5, 9-15-4 WCHA) finished the season as the # 9 team in the WCHA. The Huskies will travel to North Dakota next weekend for a best-of-three series with the top-ranked Fighting Sioux at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Ice Chips...

Thanks Wayne State for nine great years and good luck in your CHA tourney.