Huskies advance to GLI Championship over Michigan
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Michigan (6-7-5) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
|
Michigan Tech (10-7-2) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
DETROIT – Michigan Tech advanced to its fourth straight GLI Championship Game with a 2-2 tie and shootout victory over Michigan on Sunday (Dec. 30) at Little Caesars Arena. The Huskies will play Lake Superior State at 2:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve for the title in the 54th annual tournament.
"It was a good game," Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. "This is a great group of guys and our young guys continue to play well. Four of our five shooters in the shootout were freshmen and that just shows you the quality of players we have throughout our roster.
"I'm happy for our fans. It's always incredible to see the support we get down here in Detroit."
Alec Broetzman got the Huskies on the board early with a power-play goal 1:55 into the game. Tommy Parrottino got the puck behind the net and zipped it out front to Broetzman who buried his fifth of the season. The officials had a lengthy review of a potential offside, but the play stood.
Michigan (6-7-5) tied it up 6:02 into the second period on a goal by Nolan Moyle. A shot by Michael Pastujov was deflected out front by Moyle. Garrett Van Wyhe also assisted.
Tech quickly took the lead back 1:13 later. Brian Halonen carried the puck all the way around the net before wristing in a shot from the slot for his fifth of the season. Gavin Gould and Tyler Rockwell assisted.
The Wolverines again tied the game at the 17:46 mark of the second when Adam Winborg redirected a shot by Nick Blankenburg. Luke Morgan added the secondary assist.
UM outshot Tech 14-8 in the third period. Beydoun stoned Will Lockwood on a breakaway with 4:45 left in regulation to keep the Huskies in it.
"I was just trying to stay patient, read his stick play, and track the puck," Beydoun said. "We didn't have much going for us at that time, and I think that save gave our team some momentum."
Parrottino scored in the fifth round of the shootout to send the Black and Gold to the title game. Jake Lucchini scored in the third round to keep the Huskies alive and send it to the sudden death rounds.
Trenton Bliss, Brian Halonen, and Broetzman also had chances in the shootout. Beydoun stopped 4-of-5 chances for the Wolverines.
Beydoun finished with a career-high 36 saves in his fourth straight start.
"I grew up watching this tournament," added Beydoun. "It was cool having so much family in the arena and getting all the support from them and from all of the Michigan Tech fans. It was really fun."
Final shots were 38-35 in favor of Michigan. The Huskies had 12 shots in the first, 11 in the second, eight in the third, and four in overtime.
Strauss Mann had 33 saves for the Wolverines. He stopped Broetzman on a shorthanded chance in the first period, having to come all the way out to the top of the circle to play the puck.
Mann also got the help of the post to his right on a shot by Lucchini in the first and by one of his defensemen after an Alex Smith shot on a big rebound in the final moments of the first.
The Huskies are 10-7-2 overall this season and will seek their 11th GLI Title and first since 2012.
The 54th GLI Championship Game will be televised live on FOX Sports Detroit. You can also watch the game on FloHockey.tv or listen to the radio broadcast on Mix 93 and Pasty.net.
