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Posted: Oct 28, 2016

Huskies Shutout NMU Friday on Hall of Fame Night

Huskies Shutout NMU Friday on Hall of Fame Night Play Video
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HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech hockey team shutout Northern Michigan 2-0 in front of a standing room only John MacInnes Student Ice Arena crowd on Friday (Oct. 28). Jake Lucchini and Jake Jackson supplied the offense. while freshman goaltender Angus Redmond stopped 19 shots in his first career start.

Michigan Tech honored its Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2016, which included former individual players Brent Peterson and Scott White and the 1975 NCAA National Championship team.

"It was important to get a win in front of the 1975 team," Tech coach Mel Pearson said. "I really respect what that team did playing in three straight national championship games. They're so important to the history of Michigan Tech hockey, the university, and the Copper Country. They've laid the foundation for us and it was important for us to send them home proud of this program."

Lucchini gave the Huskies a 1-0 lead 8:28 into the game on the power play. Tech worked the puck deep into NMU's zone. Joel L'Esperance made a move to get to the front of the net. The puck bounced off Brent Baltus and over to Lucchini who tapped it in for his second of the season—both coming on the man advantage—and ninth of his career.

Jackson's insurance goal came with 3:44 left in the game. He rushed the zone, beating his defender on the outside, and shot it under the blocker of Atte Tolvanen for his first of the season and second of his career. The tally was unassisted.

Redmond had eight saves in the first period, six in the second, and five in the third. He was tested in the opening minutes off a shot by Dominik Shine and continued to shut the door on the Wildcats all night long.

"Angus played well tonight," Pearson said. "He had some pressure in his first start with a full house against our rival—and us honoring the 1975 team—but he came in and did his job. He looked in control all night and our team played well defensively in front of him."

NMU (2-4-1, 1-3-1-0 WCHA) applied a ton of pressure down the stretch, including a short 6-on-3 advantage after a pair of Tech penalties and an empty Northern net. The Wildcats hit the post in the late stages, and Redmond kept the puck out of the net in his second career appearance.

The two teams combined for 11 minor penalties. Tech was 1-for-5 on the man advantage and 6-for-6 on the penalty kill.

The Huskies registered 37 shots on goal to NMU's 19, outshooting their opponent for the fifth straight game. Tolvanen had 35 saves for the visitors.

The 1975 team finished with a 32-10-0 record and defeated the University of Minnesota 6-1 to capture the third national title in school history. The Huskies also won the WCHA Tournament after finishing second in the regular season.

Brent Peterson was a left wing for the Huskies from 1991-95. He played in 158 career games, tallying 80 goals and 64 assists. Peterson was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1993 NHL Supplemental Draft and played in 53 NHL games over a three-year span.

Scott White played 154 games from 1985-89. He also served as an assistant coach for the Huskies from 1994-99. As a player, White racked up 93 points on 20 goals and 73 assists from the blue line. White was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1986 NHL Draft and currently serves as the assistant GM for the NHL's Dallas Stars.

Tech improved to 2-5-2 overall and 2-2-1-1 in the WCHA, remaining undefeated at home.

"It's nice to come home and get another win," added Pearson. "It's a big win for our conference positioning, and we need to continue to play well at home. Now we have to get ready for a tough road game in Marquette tomorrow."

The two team's travel to Marquette for the series finale at the Berry Events Center. Puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m. on TV6 and Mix 93.5 FM WKMJ.