Alex Smith scored with 29.3 seconds left in overtime to lift Michigan Tech to a 4-3 victory over Lake Superior State Saturday at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Brian Halonen was named Winter Carnival MVP after tallying two goals and adding an assist in the game while also adding an assist Friday.
“That’s a great way for Smitty to end his Winter Carnival time here at Michigan Tech,” coach Joe Shawhan said. “We had great leadership from that line and that’s what we needed. It’s a good bounce-back win, and I’m extremely proud of Robbie Beydoun for his play tonight.”
Tech held on to a 3-2 lead late in the third before the Lakers pulled their goaltender and scored with 45 seconds left in regulation with the extra attacker. Pete Veillette scored from Ashton Calder and Lukas Kaelble to even it up.
The Huskies got a power play in the overtime but only generated one shot on goal. Late in the frame, Alec Broetzman carried the puck into the zone and fed a pass over to Halonen. He kicked the puck back to his stick and then found Smith open in the slot for a one-timer and his fifth goal of the season.
Robbie Beydoun provided a spark for the Huskies with a team season-high 39 saves in his fourth start and second win. He matched his career-high in saves after stopping 14 shots in first, 10 in the second, 12 in the third, and three in overtime.
“It feels really good,” Beydoun said. “It was nice getting in there and getting a win. We had a sour feeling coming in to the rink this morning. When I saw I was starting today I knew it would be an opportunity to give the team a boost. They scored some goals for me, and this could really be a turning point for us.”
Halonen opened scoring only 45 seconds into the game. He carried the puck into the zone and dropped it off to Smith before drifting into the slot. Smith found him for a one-timer and his 10th goal of the season. Eric Gotz added the secondary assist.
LSSU (9-20-3, 7-12-3-3 WCHA) tied the game 3:38 into the second period when Ashton Calder scored his third of the weekend from Miroslav Mucha and William Riedell on a shot that deflected off a Tech player.
Halonen gave the Huskies their lead back at 14:53 with a one-touch goal on a setup from Smith. Broetzman started the play with a steal out near the blue line.
“We had contributions from a lot of people,” Halonen said. “These are huge points that we need. We need to give the best effort every night and give ourselves a chance at home ice for the playoffs.”
The Lakers quickly responded 15 seconds later when Brendan McKay scored from Bryan Basilico and Chase Gamelin.
The Huskies weren’t done for the period as Broetzman scored his team-leading 14th of the season. Logan Ganie found Parker Saretsky out front. He was patient with the puck and waited for the goaltender to get out of position. The shot went through the crease and Broetzman was there to kick it to his stick and bury his 22nd career goal.
Both teams were 0-for-2 on the power play after combining for only seven penalties on the weekend.
LSSU won the MacInnes Trophy in the total goal series, outscoring the Huskies 10-7 in the two games. Jerry, Scott, and Betty MacInnes presented the MacInnes Trophy to the Lakers after the game. Winter Carnival Queen Riley presented the MVP award to Brian Halonen.
The Huskies improved to 16-14-3 overall and 11-11-2-0 in the WCHA and will play the final road series of the regular season next weekend at Ferris State.
