Black Wins 5-3 in Hockey Intrasquad Game
HOUGHTON, Mich. – Black defeated White 5-3 on Saturday (Oct. 11) at Michigan Tech hockey's intrasquad game at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. The Huskies raised $1,664 for local youth hockey and got goals from seven different players.
"I thought it was a good night," Tech coach Mel Pearson said. "The game served its purpose. It was a good game and we were able to see some things that we implemented this week in practice. It was good to see guys that didn't get a chance play last weekend at Lake State, and it was fun to just sit back and watch.
"We had a good crowd and a really good turnout for Skate With The Huskies afterward. I couldn't be more pleased with the evening."
Patrick Anderson opened the game's scoring, putting in a rebound midway through the first period. Max Vallis and Mason Blacklock assisted on the goal after the initial shot off the stick of Vallis was tipped in front by Blacklock.
Early in the second period, CJ Eick sniped a shot on a breakaway to knot it up at one. Joel L'Esperance assisted on the tally.
Alex Petan gave Black a 2-1 lead after Tanner Kero won the draw and fed a pass through the crease to Petan. Alex Gillies also assisted on the play.
Eick scored his second of the game to make it 3-1. Again on the breakaway, Eick made a move and went backhand over the goaltender's glove.
Black continued to pour it on when Zach Hill scored after Kero picked up a loose puck on the sidewall and fed it out front.
Blake Pietila ended the drought for White with a goal from Vallis and Chris Leibinger.
White cut the lead to one (4-3) after a Brent Baltus cross ice pass bounced off of Shane Hanna's skate into the back of the net.
Kero put the nail in the coffin for Black with an empty net goal from Gillies with less than 16 seconds on the clock.
Official statistics were not recorded. The teams played two 25-minute halves with running clock.
For the White team, Matt Wintjes started between the pipes and was relieved by Devin Kero. For Black, Jamie Phillips started and Matt Messina relieved him.
Admission for the game was a donation to local youth hockey as players from various teams were on hand to collect at the entrances.
Tech is 2-0 overall and 2-0 in WCHA play on the young season and has another weekend off before traveling to Ferris State on Oct. 24-25.
The Huskies play their home opener on Oct. 31-Nov. 1 against the Michigan Wolverines. Tickets are still available by stopping at the Michigan Tech Central Ticket Office, visiting BuyHuskiesTickets.com, or calling 906-487-2073.