Michigan Tech split a hard-fought home series against Bemidji State on Nov. 14 and 15, falling in a shootout on Friday before securing a 2-1 overtime victory Saturday night. The two-game set highlighted Tech’s resilience and ability to compete with one of the CCHA’s most challenging opponents.
The Huskies spread their scoring across their lineup throughout the weekend. On Friday, Tech’s two goals came from Elias Jansson and Max Koskipirtti, with assists from Tyler Miller, Isaac Gordon, Reid Andresen, and Stiven Sardarian. Goaltender Owen Bartoszkiewicz kept the game tight with 33 saves. On Saturday, Tech again saw balanced production, with goals from Koskipirtti and Sardarian and assists from Carson Latimer, Tyler Miller, and Joe Prouty. Bartoszkiewicz followed up his strong opener with 26 saves in the overtime win.
Friday’s game ended officially in a 2-2 tie after regulation and the first overtime period. In the shootout used for CCHA standings, Bemidji State scored on its third and fourth attempts to claim the extra point, while Michigan Tech converted one of its final two chances. Gordon, who assisted on one of MTU’s goals, said the team’s mentality going into Saturday was focused on consistency and discipline. “I think we just come back and try to play the same game,” Gordon said. “It’ll come down to those power play chances and some other moments in the game, but overall, it’s just going to be which team makes the least amount of mistakes.”
Head coach Bill Muckalt said Bemidji State poses a significant challenge in the conference standings. “If we have any aspirations of winning this league, they’re going to be a team that’s going to be reckoned with and one of the teams that’ll be there then,” Muckalt said.
Saturday’s rematch delivered the response Tech was looking for. After a tightly played regulation, the game moved into a three-on-three overtime, where Koskipirtti buried the game-winning goal. “Lat had a lot of speed and all of their guys went on him and I was wide open in the slot,” Koskipirtti said. “Lat made a good play and I just took the shot and it went in.”
One of the most debated moments of the night came in the first period, when Bemidji State was awarded a goal after review. Many fans disagreed, and Muckalt said the explanation he received didn’t resolve the uncertainty surrounding the call. “The official said it went in,” he said. “It didn’t look like that on what I saw. Can’t change it now. They make the best calls they see.”
Muckalt emphasized the importance of Saturday’s win within the conference race. “It’s huge… You can’t win a championship now, but you can lose a championship,” he said. “They’re a heck of a team.” He said the series was another reminder of how tight the CCHA will be this season, making every point earned early in the schedule meaningful.
