Huskies Sweep Bemidji With 2-1 Overtime Victory

BEMIDJI, Minn. — Blake Pietila scored with 30.2 seconds left in overtime to carry Michigan Tech to a 2-1 victory tonight and a series sweep at Bemidji State this weekend. Jujhar Khaira fed a pass to a wide-open Pietila in the slot who buried a shot into the upper right corner for the game winner.

The Beavers had all the momentum heading into the extra session after tying the score with five minutes left in the third period. Jordan George somehow beat Kevin Genoe inside the near post after a feed from down low to knot the score. Bemidji kept the pressure on the rest of regulation, but the Huskies got it to overtime.

Neither team seemed to gain control in the extra session. It was looking more and more like a Tech's first tie of the season before Khaira found Pietila open in front.

"Blake's not going to miss that shot too many times," said head coach Mel Pearson. "It (Pietila getting open) was the break we needed."

Tech appeared to take a 1-0 lead midway through the second period as Alex Petan scooped home a puck in the crease on the power play. The goal was disallowed after a video review when officials said he contacted the goaltender.

Steven Seigo officially gave the visitors a 1-0 lead with his second goal of the weekend at the 15:19 mark of the second. David Johnstone fed a pass to Seigo atop the left circle. The senior defenseman one-timed a puck past BSU netminder Mathieu Dugas. Tanner Kero also drew an assist on the play.

The teams skated through 19 more minutes—deep into the third period—before Bemidji State tied it up to set up the end sequence.

Kevin Genoe earned his second straight win in net for Tech by making 27 saves on 28 Bemidji shots. The senior turned aside 15-of-16 shots in the third period as the Beavers were swarming.

One night after the teams combined for five power play goals there were none in tonight's game. The Huskies were 0-for-5 while the Beavers were 0-for-3.

Tech finished with a 42-28 advantage in shots on goal.

"Our guys played well tonight," said Pearson. "We dictated the way the game was going to go tonight, and I felt we were the better team the majority of the game.

"It's a big, big win for us heading into the break."

Michigan Tech will have a weekend off before returning to action at home Nov. 30 vs. Minnesota Duluth.

Notes: Khaira, Johnstone and Alex Petan all posted their fourth points of the weekend with assists … The sweep was Tech's first since Mar. 9-10, 2012, at Colorado College in the WCHA playoffs.