Huskies fall Friday at NMU Play Video
Posted: Feb 23, 2018

Huskies fall Friday at NMU

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Michigan Tech hockey team fell 2-1 at No. 16 Northern Michigan Friday (Feb. 23) at the Berry Events Center. The Huskies took the initial lead in the second period but surrendered a goal in each of the final two frames.

"I thought our guys played well," Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. "We did a great job of executing the game plan and limiting their scoring chances. We just got beat by a team that has a little bit more depth right now."

Brent Baltus opened the game's scoring 6:05 into the second period. He hit the post early in the first, and early in the second, before finding the back of the net from the faceoff dot to the left of NMU goaltender Atte Tolvanen for his 10th of the season. Alex Smith and Thomas Beretta assisted on the play. Smith returned to the lineup after missing the last four games.

NMU (21-11-3, 19-6-2-2 WCHA) tied it up 4:10 later when Robbie Payne scored his 20th of the season. Ryan Black and Philip Beaulieu assisted.

The Wildcats then took the lead 4:40 into the third period when Darien Craighead put in a rebound after a shot by Payne deflected to the side of the net. Jordan Klimek added the secondary assist.

Tech (16-15-5, 11-11-5-2) pulled goaltender Devin Kero to add the extra attacker with 1:32 left in the game and had its chances in the final minute. Tolvanen had to stand tall stopping a flurry of shots by Gavin Gould, Joel L'Esperance, and Jake Lucchini.

Northern outshot Tech 27-18 on the night with Kero making 25 saves and Tolvanen 17.

Both teams were scoreless on the man advantage with the Huskies having four chances and the Wildcats one.

The two teams will wrap-up the 2017-18 regular season Saturday (Feb. 24) night at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. The puck drops at 7:07 p.m.

Evan Anderson, Mark Auk, Brent Baltus, Dane Birks, Mason Blacklock, Alex Gillies, Devin Kero, Joel L'Esperance, and Dylan Steman will be honored after Saturday's game on Senior Night.