Huskies fall Friday to Alabama Huntsville Play Video
Posted: Dec 14, 2018

Huskies fall Friday to Alabama Huntsville

HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech hockey team suffered its first home defeat of the season Friday (Dec. 14) with a 1-0 loss to Alabama Huntsville. The Huskies outshot the Chargers 39-17 but couldn't sneak a shot past goaltender Mark Sinclair.

"I don't think we showed up with the intensity we need to compete at this level," Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. "They executed a game plan and turned it into a man on man game. I give full credit to Coach Corbett on how he has his team playing right now."

"Credit them. They came out hard," Captain Dylan Steman said. "We weren't ready to go at the drop of the puck. They're a hard team to play against. They may not have the best record, but they're a good hockey team."

UAH (3-14-0, 3-8-0-0 WCHA) scored the only goal of the game 10:30 after puck drop on a deflection out front by Bailey Newton. John Teets and Connor Merkley assisted on the play.

Tech (9-7-1, 8-2-1-1 WCHA) drew iron three times in the game. Jake Lucchini had a pair of chances midway through the second with two shots hitting the post in a matter of 10 seconds.

Seamus Donohue nailed the crossbar in the third period after he corralled a rebound.

Tech goaltender Robbie Beydoun was pulled with 1:40 left in the third for the extra attacker. The Huskies added a power play with 51 seconds remaining and had their chances. Dylan Steman jammed at the puck in the crease several times in the final 10 seconds, but Sinclair kept the puck out for his first career shutout.

Alex Smith played his 100th career game Friday in the Black and Gold. He joins teammates Jake Lucchini (143) and Dylan Steman (133) with the milestone.

Both teams were whistled on four minor penalties. The Huskies were 0-for-4 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.

Beydoun finished with 16 saves in his second consecutive start.

"They deserved the win tonight, and it's not going to be any easier tomorrow night," added Shawhan.

The two teams will play for a fourth and final time on Saturday (Dec. 15). Puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m. in the final home game of 2018.

"We need to play our game tomorrow, and we need to bring grit and toughness and match their intensity," Steman said. "It's going to be a man's game, and we're going to have to be ready for that."

One lucky fan will have a chance to take a shot for a $50,000 truck sponsored by Keweenaw Chevrolet. Santa Claus will also be in the building during the second intermission.