With the MacInnes Cup and CCHA seeding at stake, Michigan Tech earned a crucial 3-1 win over Minnesota State on Friday night. The Huskies jumped to a quick lead when Ryland Mosley cashed in a slick pass from Max Koskipirtti just 66 seconds into the game. Both teams settled down for the rest of the period with goalie Blake Pietilastopping all 11 shots he faced.
In the second period, Michigan Tech killed off the Maverick’s first power play attempt but could not prevent Kaden Bohlsen from scoring in the second Minnesota State power play to tie the game at one apiece. The Huskies fired back less than two minutes later as Logan Pietila reclaimed the lead.
In the third period, Minnesota State had three chances to score on the power play but Michigan Tech’s defense held strong. With ten seconds left in the game, the Huskies won in style as Jed Pietila scored a looping empty-netter from across the ice.
On Saturday, the Mavericks got their revenge and forced a series split with a 4-2 victory over the Huskies. Minnesota State had only thirteen shots through two periods but made the most of them. Brian Carrabes scored in the first period for the Mavericks, while Tyrone Bronte tied up the game for Michigan Tech with a goal.
Sam Morton and Kaden Bohlsen added two goals to Minnesota State’s tally in the second period to give the Mavericks a two-goal lead. In the third period, Marcus Pedersen buried a shot after a perfectly timed face-off win by Levi Stauber to bring the Huskies within one. However, Michigan Tech’s comeback attempt ended when Bohlsen scored an empty net goal in the game’s final seconds.
With conference positioning sorted out, some fans left for the exits, but there was still something to play for. The Mavericks and Huskies competed in a shootout to decide the MacInnes Cup. After both teams missed their first two shots, each scored on their next two before Michigan Tech broke the deadlock with a fifth-round goal and a save from Blake Pietila to win 3-2.
Jed Pietila earned Most Valuable Player for his efforts and the Huskies won their second MacInnes Cup in the last three years. When reflecting on the weekend, Head Coach Joe Schwan concluded that the Huskies “had five good to really good periods on the weekend… and one really bad period that cost us a hockey game.” The Huskies are now 12-13-6 and will take next week off before heading to Bowling Green for a two-game tilt.
