Michigan Tech played a home series for the first time in 2013 and came away with 3 points against a Bemidji team that was two points ahead in the WCHA.  The Huskies took 3 points on the weekend, and 7 of 8 from the Beavers this year.  Now tied in tenth with 12 points in the WCHA, the Huskies will take their final bye week of the year hone their game during an inter-squad scrimmage next weekend.

Friday

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The Huskies came out hot and scored early when David Johnstone lit the lamp in the first minute of play, beating the Beaver netminder short side with a backhand shot.  It was the start that the Huskies needed.  In the 17th minute of the first, Blake Pietila found a rebound and buried his shot in the empty net to put the Huskies up by two goals.

In the second, it was Blake Pietila again who scored the third goal, finding a corner of the net on a sniper shot from Alex Petan and Brad Stebner.

In the third, Malcolm Gould scored his second goal of the year, giving the Huskies a 4-0.  From there on out it was Pheonix Copley who stood strong in net and held off all oncoming shots and posting his third shutout in five games.

“We were aggressive on our fore check,” said head coach Mel Pearson, “we created turnovers  and created good scoring opportunities.”

“We started strong and the defense kept the shots to the outside,” said Copley, who was celebrating his 21st birthday.  “I have been playing with more confidence lately, (Steve) Shields and I have been working hard.”

Scoresheet

Coverage

Saturday

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Bemidji started a little stronger, and were able to get the first goal. Ryan Furne was able to score the tie the score up, with a beautiful shot over the shoulder of the Bemidji netminder.

In the third, Michigan Tech found themselves down 2-1 until Blake Pietila scored his third goal of the weekend and his 13th of the year.

“It was a tough start tonight,” said Pearson. “They were more ready to go, and it showed in the first period.  I thought (Pheonix) Copley was the difference. It could have been four or five to zero at the end of the first, but he kept us in it.”

Scoresheet

Coverage

Stick Salute

Ryan Furne is the recipient of this weeks stick salute, for his goal in Saturday night’s game.  The upperclassmen have been struggling to score through the season, but Furne has improved his play as of late and is being rewarded with more  scoring opportunities.  If he and his classmates can get it going, it will be a boost the Huskies need down the stretch and may prove to be the difference maker for this year’s Huskies.