The Michigan Tech hockey team played against Lake Superior State University (LSSU) this past weekend. Tech put up an intense battle but lost 2-4 on Jan. 10; however, on Jan. 11, Michigan Tech showed their resilience by winning with a shut-out score of 1-0.
In the first period on Jan. 10, neither team was showing weakness, with both teams showing strong defense and offense. This standstill lasted throughout the first period. Tension on both teams grew to see who would score the first goal.
Tech started the second period strong, with the puck sliding into LSSU’s goal at 2 minutes and 28 seconds in. Chase Pietila scored the goal with the assistance of Trevor Kukkonen and Ryder Matter. Tech took the lead with another goal at 6 minutes and 12 seconds on a power play. Matthew Campbell took the shot with the help of Trevor Kukkonen and Stiven Sardarian. LSSU closed the gap with two back-to-back goals, bringing the score to 2-2 at the end of the second period.
LSSU showed strength by taking the lead with a goal 3 minutes and 22 seconds into the third period. Tech tried retaliating by leaving their goal open and doing a six-on-five-man method. However, with Tech’s goal open, LSSU was able to pass through Tech’s offense and score their fourth goal of the night. Ending the game 2-4, LSSU won.
Tech brought their A-game to the match on Jan 11th. With an intense battle between LSSU and Tech, without either team giving up a goal for the first two periods. With high emotion, Tech found an opening opportunity in the third period to score by Owen Baker and assisted by Lauri Raiman and Alex Nordstrom. Ryan Manzella started as the goalie for the first time at home, and he had a shutout start in his career at Tech.
“If we played like we did last night” (Jan. 10), “we would have the same result,” claimed Head Coach Joe Shawhan. However, “our team [were] more connected, [and] more unified,” Shawhan said about the game on Saturday.
This week, Tech will be facing Minnesota State in Mankato, Minnesota.
