Huskies name Olson, Cousens captains

Michigan Tech Press Release

Head coach Jamie Russell recently announced that junior Brett Olson and senior Deron Cousens will both serve as team captains for the Michigan Tech hockey team for the 2010-11 seasons. Seniors Jordan Baker and Bennett Royer will serve as assistant captains.

Olson, who will serve as captain after serving as the assistant captain last season, was named the Merv Youngs Most Valuable Player last season after tying for the team lead in points (30) and leading the team in goals (18) and finishing second in assists (12).

"Being selected as captain for this season is a real honor," said Olson. "I am anxious to take on a larger leadership role as captain. Deron and I will have great support from Jordan and Bennett."

Cousens will wear a letter for the first time in his career. Last season he earned the Harold Meese Sportsmanship Award and finished third among the team’s defenseman with eight points (one goal, seven assists).

"It is exciting to join with Brett, Jordan and Bennett to lead this team," said Cousens. "Brett and I have different leadership skills and we can focus our strengths to combine with Jordan and Bennett to provide a united message and be an extension of the coaching staff."

Baker will serve as assistant captain for the second straight season. Last season he finished fourth on the team in scoring with 18 points (nine goals, nine assists) and earned the George McCarthy Performance Award for scholastic and athletic achievement.

Royer will also wear an “A” on his jersey for the first time. Last season he recorded career-highs in goals (four) and points (10) and was named to the All-WCHA Academic Team for the second time.

"Leadership at the college level and in hockey in general is a critical piece to finding success," said Russell. "The leaders in the room must set the tone for the team. We need to be a team that sets a high level of sacrifice and commitment to a team concept. I have all the confidence in the world in these four men. They will lead by example with their work ethic and competitiveness on and off the ice. On any successful team, individual agendas have been put aside and the culture of the team revolves solely around the success of the team."

Michigan Tech will open the season with an exhibition game against Nipissing University on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 7:07 p.m.

Michigan Tech wins Winter Carnival

By Andy Bourdeau / MTU Beat Writer

Michigan Tech continued to improve and split the Winter Carnival weekend with #6 ranked Minnesota Duluth, with a 3-1 win on Friday and a 3-2 loss on Saturday.

With the split, the Winter Carnival champion was decided by total goals, so this year the title went to MTU.

Eric Kattelus was named Winter Carnival MVP.

Friday it was UMD that dominated the play in the first and second period, bringing a 1-0 lead into the third. It would have been more, but Kevin Genoe had an outstanding night, stopping all but one of the 31 shots he faced in the first two periods.

Rob Bordson scored UMD's lone goal at 8:07 of the first period.

It was an early power-play goal by Bennett Royer that tied it and 26-seconds later, a tip in by Kattelus that ended up being the game winner for the Huskies. Brett Olson ended the scoring with an empty netter.

Kenny Reiter finished with 20 saves for the Bulldogs.

Saturday, MTU carried the play in the first two periods, but could only muster two goals on seven great scoring chances.

Steven Siego opened the scoring for MTU at 9:38 of the first and then at 17:01, Jordan Baker popped in his eighth of the year on the power-play.

UMD's David Grun scored in the second on the power play to bring it to 2-1.

In the third, it was UMD scoring 2 unanswered to close out the scoring at 3-2.

Drew Akins tied the score with another extra-man marker at 10:26 and Mike Connolly hammered in the game-winner, shorthanded at 12:16 to seal the win.

MTU had a few chances, but were unable to capatalize. The Huskies also took three penalties in the last three minutes that prevented the chance to pull the goalie.

Genoe ended the night with 36 saves and Reiter stopped 21 for UMD.

"We had a great effort of 60 minutes for the second straight night," said head coach Jamie Russell. "We stood toe-to-toe with the No. 6 team in the nation."

MTU (5-22-1, 4-18-0) takes the weekend off, then resumes play at Denver.

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Tech finally wins and splits with Mavs

Complied by MiCHO Staff

The Michigan Tech Huskies broke a seemingly endless 15-game winless skid with a 4-1 win over the Minnesota State Mavericks at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena on Friday night.

"I thought we did a good job all the way around tonight," said MTU head coach Jamie Russell. "We did a good job in our end and I thought that a couple of times we gave up a few odd man rushes in the secondary because our third guy was up on the offensive zone and trying to bite off a little too much and their defense was just on and they got a couple of opportunities that way."

The Huskies got second period goals from Drew Dobson, Brett Olson (pictured), and Malcolm Gwilliam to thrill the crowd of 2,010 that hadn’t seen a win at home since October 30th against St. Cloud State.

Gwilliam added a third period power play marker and Kevin Genoe stopped 30 shots for the win.

Genoe’s lone blemish came shorthanded at 15:35 of the third off the stick of Mavs forward Rylan Galiardi.

Austin Lee turned away 24 shots in net for Minnesota State.

The Huskies spotted the Mavs a 2-0 lead on Saturday and couldn’t recover, failing by a final of 3-2.

Brett Olson added his team high 14th and 15th goals of the year, but it wasn’t enough as the Huskies fell for the 21st time in 26 games.

Galiardi, Eriah Hayes, and Kael Mouillierat scored for Minnesota State and Phil Cook made 30 saves.

Kevin Genoe stopped 42 shots for MTU.

The MTU Huskies (4-21-1, 3-17-0 WCHA) will be back on the ice in Houghton next weekend for Winter Carnival and a two-game set against the #6 Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs.

Photo courtesy of MTU Athletics.

MTU splits with the "other" Huskies

By Andy Bourdeau/MTU Beat Writer

Michigan Tech (2-4-0, 1-3-0) came into the weekend looking to improve on their penalty kill and looking for their first win in WCHA play.

They earned their first win Friday night, posting a 3-1 win over the visiting St. Cloud State Huskies, who then returned the favor the next night with the same score.

Friday, MTU scored first with a John Kivisto shot from the blue line that somehow found its way in.

The visiting Huskies tied it up late in the second. In the third, MTU sophomore and leading scorer Brett Olson, scored a shorthanded goal, which was the eventual game winner. MTU's Alex Macleod put an empty-net goal in with seven seconds remaining to seal the deal.

Kevin Genoe started his first collegiate game and earned his first win with 26 saves.

"We wanted to win the special teams battle,” said Michigan Tech coach Jamie Russell. “We still have some areas to improve. Every game is close and our guys rose to the occasion tonight."

Saturday night, Genoe got his second start in a row, and the team was unable to stop the power play of SCSU, giving up two power-play goals early in the game.

Malcolm Gwilliam was able to cut the lead in half in the second, but MTU could not get any closer.

Genoe ended with 27 saves.

Russell was a little disappointed in his teams play on Saturday, stating that “discipline got the better of us.”

Michigan Tech will be at home again next weekend, hosting North Dakota for a two-game series.

Colorado College handles Michigan Tech

By Andy Bourdeau/Michigan Tech Beat Writer

Michigan Tech outplayed Colorado College when the two teams were even strength, but could not stop the Tigers on the power play and ended up getting swept on the road, 4-1 and 8-5, this past weekend.

The Huskies were unable to stay out of the box and keep the Tigers from finding the back of the net on the penalty kill. While the defense allowed 12 goals on the weekend, only one of the 12 goals scored were even strength, two were on an empty net, one was shorthanded and eight were power-play goals.

MTU captain Malcolm Gwilliam scored the only goal for the Huskies Friday night and put two more in on Saturday. MTU also received goals from Anthony Schooley, Alex MacLeod and Deron Cousens. Tech had a two-goal lead twice in the second period on Saturday, but could not keep it.

Huskies head coach Jamie Russell summed up the weekend, saying, "Power play sucked, didn't it?"

Michigan Tech (1-3-0, 0-2-0 WCHA) continues WCHA play at home this upcoming weekend against St. Cloud State.

Michigan Tech wins season warm-up

by Andy Bourdeau/Michigan Tech Beat Writer

Michigan Tech opened the season with an exhibition win over Ryerson, 3-1, Saturday night.

The Huskies came out strong, scoring one goal on the first two shifts, getting the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena excited for the home team. Ryerson settled down and played even with MTU the rest of the way.

It was senior captain Malcolm Gwilliam getting the first goal for the Huskies, 19 seconds into the game. The freshman line of Evan Witt, Aaron Pietila and Milos Gordic scored the second goal 28 seconds later when Pietila scored.

Ryerson made a game of it when they scored in the second. MTU goalie Josh Robinson made the initial save, but could not save the rebound. It stayed 2-1 until the third, when Witt was able to knock home a rebound off the stick of Pietila.

The contest was one where special teams were tested. MTU was unable to score, but had good puck movement throughout the chances. Tech was also able to kill all the power-play chances from Ryerson.

Robinson ended the game making 27 of 28 saves.

Michigan Tech head coach Jamie Russell had high praise for Robinson after the game.

" I thought Robinson was terrific," Russell said. "He had a great game for us. I think that bodes well for us in our future."

The Huskies open season play this Friday when they host Northern Michigan as part of the Superior Showcase.

Michigan Tech Huskies Preview

By Andy Bourdeau/Michigan Tech Beat Writer

MICHIGAN TECH HUSKIES

Head coach: Jamie Russell (seventh season)

Home arena: MacInnes Student Ice Arena (4,200)

Last season: 6-25-7 overall, 2-19-7 WCHA (10th), lost in WCHA first round to North Dakota

Returning for the Huskies:
Goaltenders: Josh Robinson, Corson Cramer
Forwards: Malcolm Gwilliam (C), Jordan Baker (A), Brett Olson (A), Drew Dobson, Eric Kattelus, Bennett Royer, Ryan Bunger, Seth Soley, Alex MacLeod, Bryce Reddick, Mikael Lickteig and Peter Rohn
Defensemen: Deron Cousens, Ricky Doriott, John Kivisto, Eli Vlaisavljevich, Mike VanWagner

No longer sporting the Husky sweater:
Goaltender: Rob Nolan
Forwards: Alex Gagne, Derek Kitti, Ryan Angelow, Alex Lord and Justin St. Louis
Defensemen: Geoff Kinrade and John Schwarz

New to the Huskies:
Goaltender: Kevin Genoe
Forwards: Aaron Pietila, Anthony Schooley, Milos Gordic, Evan Witt
Defensemen: Steven Seigo, Tommy Brown and Carl Nielsen

NHL draft picks: 0

Outlook: Michigan Tech comes off a season plagued with injuries and looks to get back to climbing the WCHA ladder. They return their leading four scorers and are counting on them to continue this season and bring this team out of the WCHA basement.

When asked what fans can expect this year, Russell said, "More offense with more creativity and shots. We need players to bring excitement, energy and responsibility to combine with a real physical edge. We must improve our special teams play."

The real question mark for this year's Huskies is if they improve their scoring and special teams. If they can, look for a good year out of this year's squad.

MTU's season comes to an end

by Andy Bourdeau/Michigan Tech Beat Writer

Michigan Tech traveled to North Dakota for the opening round of the WCHA playoffs and could not continue their season, losing 5-1 and 4-3 to the Fighting Sioux.

Friday night was dominated by North Dakota, as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead and took that into the third. Alex MacLeod scored for the Huskies at the six-minute mark in the third and that was all MTU could muster, as UND added two other goals, including a shorthanded goal that sealed the deal for the Sioux.

Rob Nolan started in net and saved 26 shots before being replaced in the third. Josh Robinson came in and stopped all five shots he faced.

Saturday, it was MacLeod again getting on the board for the Huskies and they actually took the 1-0 lead into the second period. Then it was UND's Ryan Duncan that scored the natural hat trick in a three-minute span. When things settled down, MTU was able to get a goal by the team's leading goal-getter, Jordan Baker, and this made the game 3-2 as they went into the third.

UND took a two-goal lead early in the third, but Drew Dobson was able to bring it back within one. MTU pulled Nolan with just under two minutes to go, but were unable to get the equalizer.

Nolan ended the game with five saves, while Robinson ended with 10 saves.

"I thought we played 60 minutes tonight. Last night I was happy with the first, but then things got away from us," said head coach Jamie Russell. "I thought we came out and laid it all on the line."

Michigan Tech ended the season 6-25-7, and will look to turn things around in 2009-2010 season.

MTU settles for single point vs. UMD

By Matt Mackinder/MiCHO Managing Editor

Michigan Tech earned just a point on the weekend, but in the process tied a WCHA record.

The Huskies' 2-2 tie Saturday night at home against Minnesota Duluth was their seventh of the year and improved on its own record of six set in 1995-1996.

Michigan Tech is now 5-22-7 overall and 1-18-7 in WCHA play.

Jordan Baker and Derek Kitti scored for MTU and Josh Robinson made 28 saves in net.

“I thought we played well tonight. I was happy with our performance,” said Huskies head coach Jamie Russell. “I really challenged the team after the second period. We challenged individuals in the room before the third and we asked who wanted to step up, who wanted to be a leader, who wants to be put in that situation to be successful and get the tap on the shoulder to get the job done.”

In Friday night's 4-1 loss, freshman Brett Olson scored his team-best sixth power-play goal of the season to go along with a 19-save outing from Robinson.

“You have to bury your bounces," said Russell. "We had a number of wonderful opportunities in the first period, but (Duluth goalie Alex) Stalock made the saves. I think we had great opportunities after we were up 1-0 to go up 2-0, 3-0, but we didn’t capitalize. In the third period, we need someone who is going to step up. We are down 2-1 and we had two power-play opportunities and we didn’t convert in those situations. In fact, I thought we lost battles. You need to rise to the occasion and we didn’t do that.”

Michigan Tech will take next weekend off before hosting Minnesota in the final series of the regular season March 6-7.

MTU loses WCHA battle of Huskies

By Andy Bourdeau/Michigan Tech Beat Writer

Michigan Tech traveled to St. Cloud State and gave up four points to the Huskies as SCSU took a 3-2 win Friday night and a 4-2 win Saturday night.

It was Alex Macleod and Jordan Baker scoring for the Huskies in the first game. The freshman, Macleod, gave the Huskies their only lead of the weekend when he scored in the first period. It did not last long, as SCSU added two in the first and took a 2-1 lead to the locker room.

Just 12 seconds into the third, Baker notched his game-tying goal, but it was not enough, as the Huskies from St. Cloud were able to get the game-winner later in the third.

Josh Robinson started in net for MTU and ended the night with 36 saves.

On Saturday, it was SCSU getting on the board first, with two power-play goals, including one on a 5-on-3. Baker was able to get his first of the evening in the opening stanza to cut the lead in half.

Another 5-on-3 goal for St. Cloud gave them a two-goal lead again. It was Baker again giving MTU some life, but it was not too be as SCSU scored on a breakaway, then held off Tech with the goalie pulled.

"I don’t think our kids got a real fair shake in this building with three 5-on-3 opportunities," Michigan Tech head coach Jamie Russell noted. "By that time, the game was decided."

Robinson started in net again and came up with 31 saves on the evening.

Michigan Tech (5-21-6, 1-17-6 WCHA) next hosts Minnesota Duluth for a weekend series in Houghton.

Michigan Tech and Anchorage tie twice

By Andy Bourdeau/Michigan Tech Beat Writer

Michigan Tech and Alaska Anchorage skated to 3-3 ties in both games last weekend as Tech picked up a much-needed two points in rallying both nights.

Friday, MTU came back from a 3-0 deficit to get the tie and Saturday, the Huskies came back from a 2-0 deficit.

MTU's special teams came up big on the weekend, scoring four power-play goals, one shorthanded and did not allow a power-play goal for the Seawolves. It was freshman Brett Olson (pictured) leading the way, with three goals in the series, all power-play goals.

Josh Robinson started in net for the Huskies (5-18-5, 1-14-5) and held the teams to a 0-0 score going into the second period Friday. The Seawolves took a 3-0 lead, which also lead to a change in net for the Huskies. Rob Nolan came in and did not allow another goal the rest of the night.

Jordan Baker got the Huskies on the board when he hammered home a rebound under the pads of the UAA netminder. The Huskies stil came into the third period down, 3-1. Olson added his first goal of the weekend when he was able to bury one halfway through the third.

Baker was whistled for a penalty with 2:15 to go, putting the Huskies down one man, but that did not stop Derek Kitti from tying the game up with under 30 seconds to go.

Saturday, Nolan started in net and saw 14 shots in the first period, stopping all but one. The Huskies were outshot, 14-2, in the first, but they did not let that deter them, as they responded in the second after going down, 2-0.

Olson scored two in the period, both on the power play, ending the period tied at two. Drew Dobson scored his first of the year, giving MTU their first lead of the weekend, but it was short-lived, as UAA scored 50 seconds later.

The teams swapped chances the remainder of the way an in overtime, and ended in a 3-3 tie, the second in as many nights.

Nolan was solid in net all weekend, making 28 saves on Saturday and 13 in relief on Friday. Robinson made 13 saves on Friday.

"We took a good step this weekend," said Michigan Tech head coach Jamie Russell. "There were many positives coming from this weekend. Our special teams played very well, scoring four and not giving up a power-play goal."

The Huskies will have next weekend off to get ready for the Winter Carnival series with Colorado College.

Photo courtesy of MTU Athletics

Tech battles for point on the weekend

By Andy Bourdeau/Michigan Tech Beat Writer

Michigan Tech took on the 17th-ranked University of North Dakota this past weekend and came away with one point.

Friday, the Huskies skated to a 3-3 draw with the Sioux, then lost 5-0 Saturday.

Riding the good play of netminder Rob Nolan (pictured), MTU was able to score three and get a point against a very good UND team.

MTU (5-18-3, 1-14-3 WCHA) received second-period goals from Alex Gagne and Brent Olsen to tie the game at two going into the third.

UND struck first in the third, at the two-minute mark. Two minutes later, MTU freshman Peter Rohn tied the game with his second power play goal of his career.

"Unlike the Denver series, we got beat to the puck the first period," said Huskies head coach Jamie Russell. "We were lucky to only be done two at the end of one. We adjusted and played well the rest of the way."

Nolan ended the game with 41 saves on 44 shots.

Saturday, UND controlled the play from the start, getting five by the time it was all said and done. UND outshot Tech, 33-14.

Nolan made 28 saves on the day.

"We did not play enough in North Dakota's end," said Russell. "They played a very good hockey game."

MTU travels to Alaska-Anchorage for a two-game series this upcoming weekend.

Photo courtesy Michigan Tech Athletics

Michigan Tech swept away in Denver

By Andy Bourdeau/Michigan Tech Beat Writer

Michigan Tech scored three goals on Friday night, the first time they scored three or more since October 31, but it was not enough as they lost 4-3 in overtime to Denver. The Huskies scored one more on Saturday, losing 3-1.

The four goals scored on the weekend was the highest output since scoring four in mid-November against Minnesota State.

Derek Kitti notched his first goal of the season in the first period Friday night, beating the Denver netminder high stick side. MTU continued to carry the play for the remainder of the first period.

DU answered in the second, only for Tech to answer five minutes later, MTU took the lead again, when Jordan Baker found a streaking Alex Gagne on the doorstep, and Gagne tapped it in. Denver tied it up, closing out the second period, 2-2.

In the third, DU scored seven minutes in and held the lead until the final minute. Geoff Kinrade (pictured) scored as Rob Nolan was heading to the bench. The game looked as if it were to end in a tie, but DU beat Nolan with only 16 seconds remaining in OT to get the win.

Nolan ended the night with 30 saves.

"We had a lot of scoring chances," said MTU head coach Jamie Russell. "We were solid defensively and Robbie played great in net."

Good enough for Nolan to get the start both nights, playing solid on Saturday as well. This night was started by DU, but Kinrade was able to tie it at 1-all when his shot was tipped and found its way to the back of the net. DU got one in the second and then were able to put in an empty-netter when Nolan was pulled for the extra attacker.

Russell was pleased with the performance, stating, "We played a solid game tonight, did a good job on special teams, holding them scoreless and scoring one power-play goal of our own."

Nolan ended the game with 35 saves.

Michigan Tech (5-17-2, 1-13-2 WCHA) will host North Dakota for a two game series this upcoming weekend.

Photo courtesy Michigan Tech Athletics

Huskies upset UND for third place

By Matt Mackinder/Managing Editor, MiCHO

DETROIT - Jordan Baker played the role of hero for Michigan Tech this afternoon as his goal at 14:02 of the third period gave the Huskies a 2-1 upset win over No. 18 North Dakota in the consolation game of the Great Lakes Invitational at Joe Louis Arena.

Brett Olson put a shot on net that bounced loose to the right of UND goaltender Brad Eidsness and Baker was on the doorstep to knock in his team-best ninth goal of the year.

Ryan Angelow's first goal of the season late in the second period gave MTU (5-15-2) a 1-0 lead until Evan Trupp tied the game 8:14 into the third period.

“We came to the rink with much more focus,” said Huskies head coach Jamie Russell. “Our penalty kill was outstanding tonight.”

Rob Nolan made 29 saves for the win, while Eidsness finished with 18 for the Fighting Sioux (9-10-1).

“We had a good effort, but our execution level wasn’t good enough to produce tonight, offensively,” said UND head coach Dave Hakstol. “Give Michigan Tech credit - they played a good, strong hockey game.”

MTU next plays at Denver Jan. 9-10.

Baker photo courtesy Michigan Tech

Wolverines, Caporusso blast Huskies

By Matt Mackinder/Michigan Beat Writer

Louie Caporusso, snubbed for the Canadian World Junior Team, instead led Michigan to a 5-0 win over Michigan Tech this afternoon in the first game of the Great Lakes Invitational at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Caporusso's natural hat trick in the first period came with linemate David Wohlberg assisting on all three and goaltender Bryan Hogan getting the win in goal with a 15-save outing for 11th-ranked Michigan.

Caporusso (pictured) took over the national goal-scoring lead with his 15th, 16th and 17th tallies of the season.

Michigan's win was also the 656th of head coach Red Berenson's career, putting him in sole possession of seventh place on college hockey's all-time wins list by passing Jeff Sauer (Colorado College, Wisconsin).

Anthony Ciraulo and Brandon Burlon also scored for U-M (12-7-0) and Luke Glendening earned helpers on both for his first two NCAA points.

Ciraulo's goal was his first since a shorthanded goal against Providence in last year's GLI.

Danny Fardig also assisted on Ciraulo's and Burlon's tallies.

"It was a game that we knew we'd need four lines with no TV timeouts," said Berenson. "Our condition, we knew, would not be 100 percent. We knew our fourth line would be important. They looked good in practice - they were excited. Ciraulo hasn't played much this year, but he came out and gave us a good game. Both Glendening and Fardig are hard workers, so they were not out of place."

Both teams were held without a power-play goal as U-M went 0-for-6 and the Huskies were 0-for-7. All of Michigan's goals were scored at even-strength.

Josh Robinson started in net for MTU (4-15-2), but was pulled after Ciraulo's goal 14:04 into the opening frame after making just two saves on six shots. Rob Nolan played the rest of the way and finished with 22 saves.

“We weren’t sharp in the first period and Josh had a tough night,” said MTU head coach Jamie Russell. “Our penalty kill was one positive, but our power play did not generate enough chances.”

Michigan advances to the championship game tomorrow night at 6:35 p.m. versus the winner of tonight's second semifinal between Michigan State and North Dakota. It will be U-M's third straight GLI title game appearance.

The Huskies will face the loser of North Dakota and Michigan State in the third-place game tomorrow at 3:05 p.m.

Photo by UM Photo Services

Huskies, Robinson sweep NMU

By Andy Bourdeau/Michigan Tech Beat Writer

Michigan Tech played a home-and-home series with UP rival Northern Michigan over the weekend and while both teams have been struggling on the year and both were looking for some momentum for the second half of the year, it was MTU that got that momentum with 2-1 and 1-0 wins over the Wildcats.

The Huskies got the scoring going Friday night on their home ice when NMU turned the puck over to Bennett Royer and he snuck a backhand past NMU netminder Brian Stewart. In the second, Northern tied the game when freshman goaltender Josh Robinson misread a weak shot by Mike Maltese and it snuck past his glove.

MTU sophomore Jordan Baker assisted on the eventual game-winner when he came in on a partial break and was tripped up. But before the play ended, he was able to get a pass to his offensive counterpart Brett Olsen, who buried the puck for the Huskies.

NMU pressured nearly all of the third and pulled the goalie, but were unable to get any more by Robinson.

Robinson finished with 36 saves and Stewart made 20 for NMU.

"A lot of the games we played against Northern, we really outplayed them," Huskies head coach Jamie Russell noted. "And we came out on the short end of the stick. We were fortunate tonight, but it feels good to have a win."

Robinson's play earned him his first back-to-back starts and he did not disappoint, leading the huskies to a 1-0 win on Saturday.

It was in second period on Tech's third power play that freshman Peter Rohn was able to put a pass from Royer past Stewart. It was the only shot either of the goalies would let in on the night. NMU put MTU under immense pressure in the third, but the defense and Robinson held strong.

Russell had high praise for Robinson after the first time MTU has ever shutout NMU (3-12-3, 2-9-3-2 CCHA) and the first time MTU has swept its rival since 1994.

"He made some great saves last night and then he came in here and got the shutout,” said Russell. “He represented the WCHA well, not only tonight, but during the whole weekend."

Robinson kicked out 20 shots, while Stewart needed to stop only 11 for the Wildcats.

The Huskies (4-14-2, 1-11-2 WCHA) take a three game unbeaten streak to Detroit for the Great Lakes Invitational, where they will play Michigan in the first round next Saturday afternoon.

Northern Michigan is off until Jan. 2-3 when they travel to Wisconsin for a pair of nonconference games.

Huskies get point at Minn.-Duluth

By Andy Bourdeau/Michigan Tech Beat Writer

The Michigan Tech Huskies scored two goals on the weekend and it was enough to come away with one point against a very good Minnesota-Duluth team.

It has been three weekends since the Huskies scored more than one goal on the weekend and five weekends since their last point (a 2-2 tie against Minnesota on Nov. 15).

Jordan Baker scored the lone Husky goal on Friday night in the second period and Rob Nolan made 19 saves in the 3-1 loss.

"We played much better than last weekend," MTU skipper Jamie Russell stated. "We created much better chances offensively."

Saturday, it was Brett Olsen notching the lone goal for Tech in a 1-1 tie. Freshman netminder Josh Robinson played a solid game in net, stopping 24 of 25 shots.

Russell was pretty happy with the way the team played on the weekend.

"We played good smart hockey," said Russell. "We took some good steps this weekend."

The Huskies (2-14-2, 1-11-2 WCHA) will play a home-and-home series with Northern Michigan this upcoming weekend starting at home Friday night.