Michigan Tech starts season with sweep

By Andy Bourdeau/MTU Beat Writer

Courtesy of TechHockeyGuide.com

Michigan Tech (2-0-0, WCHA 0-0-0) swept the American International College Yellow Jackets this weekend, starting the Mel Pearson era perfect.

Friday Night

Blake Pietila lead the way for the Huskies on the score sheet, netting two goals and an assist for a three-point night. Jordan Baker and Steven Siego each each had a goal and two assists on the night as well.

Special teams were the difference in this one. MTU finished with three goals on four power-play attempts, while AIC went 0-for-4 and could not capitalize on a five-minute major at the end of the first and the beginning of the second.

“Kevin (Genoe) had two that I think he would want back, but he showed a lot staying in there, coming back like he did,” Pearson stated.

Genoe ended the evening making 17 saves on 20 shots.

“We stayed positive in between periods and I am proud of our kids for battling back,” Pearson said.

MTU was down 3-1 going into the third, when they were able to get two power play goals to tie the game.

Down 3-0, Pietila started the scoring for the Huskies, burying a rebound off of a Baker shot on the power play

In the third, Pietila started the scoring again, when he was left all alone in front of the net. Siego added the game-tying goal on the next power play, wit.h a nice one-timer from the point.

Near the end of the game, Baker hustled down and caused a turnover in the offensive zone, then took a pass from captain Brett Olson and stuffed the puck past the goalie for his first of the year and the game-winner.

Saturday Night

Behind the pads of Josh Robinson, the Huskies were able to get the 3-1 victory in Saturday's match up.

“I’m proud of the kids; they are learning how to win,” stated Pearson. “Our power play was not very good tonight, unlike last night. You find out where you are early in the year. We have some things to improve on, but it is important for the team to get the wins.”

Robinson was strong in net, coming up big in the second and third when needed, stopping 32 of 33 shots.

Olson started the scoring, when he came in on a shorthanded breakaway and buried it top shelf on the netminder. Riley Sweeney received the assist on the goal.

AIC lone goal came just after the Olson goal, coming in the same power play as the Olson shorthanded goal.

Jacob Johnstone added a goal in the first and one in the second to end the scoring for the night. Mikael Lickteig assisted on both goals and Carl Nielsen and Patrick McCadden also assisted on Johnstone’s two goals.

Michigan Tech stays in Houghton next weekend as Wisconsin comes to town in the first WCHA action for the team.