Tech tops Northern in OT at Superior Cup

By Susannah Nichols/ Northern Michigan Beat Writer

On Friday night, the host Northern Michigan Wildcats lost to the Michigan Tech Huskies in the opening game of the Superior Cup. Bennett Royer contributed a pair of goals for the Huskies in the 4-3 overtime victory.

The Wildcats got the first power play of the game when Tech’s Ricky Doriott was called for holding. The ‘Cats seized the opportunity, and Justin Florek netted his first goal of the season. Greger Hanson and Reed Seckel earned assists. The ‘Cats went up 2-0 four minutes later: Tyler Gron scored, Hanson and Stephan Vigier assisted.

Late in the first period, Wildcat Scott Macaulay was handed a 5-minute penalty for checking from behind, and the Huskies scored twice on the resulting power play. Royer struck first, with help from Milos Gordic and Eric Kattelus, and then Daniel Holnberg tied the game. Doren Cousens and Steven Seigo assisted on Holnberg’s goal.

The Huskies took the lead early in the second period on an Anthony Schooley goal, and Andrew Cherniwchan knotted the game up again with seven minutes left in the third period.

Northern outshot Tech 36-29 over the course of the game, but Tech had six shots to Northern’s one in overtime. Royer scored 4:45 into overtime to give the Huskies the win. Kattelus and Mikael Lickteig earned assists on the game-winning goal.

Reid Ellingson finished with 25 saves for Northern; Tech’s Josh Robinson recorded 33 saves for the win.

The schools won’t have to wait long for a rematch—they’ll face off Tuesday night in Houghton. The puck drops at 7:07 p.m.