Huskies fall at No. 19 LSSU Friday Play Video
Posted: Feb 15, 2019

Huskies fall at No. 19 LSSU Friday

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Michigan Tech hockey team lost 3-1 Friday (Feb. 15) against No. 19 Lake Superior State at Taffy Abel Arena. The Lakers scored twice in the third period, including an empty-net tally.

"It was another tough loss where we made mistakes to give up the lead," Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. "They're a good team and we were able to turn it on in the third, but we need to play that way for a full 60 minutes. We have to be able to find a way to win these one-goal games, and it's my job to get this figured out."

For the fourth Friday in a row, Brian Halonen put the Huskies in front. His team-leading 10th of the season came on a one-timer from Keegan Ford and Colin Swoyer 3:04 into the game on the power play. He now has three power-play tallies.

Jake Lucchini had a chance to add to the lead 2:46 later on a penalty shot, but he misplayed the puck and didn't get off a quality shot.

The two teams combined for 13 penalties in the game with seven of those whistled in the first period alone.

LSSU (19-8-2, 14-7-2-0 WCHA) tied the game 2:54 into the second period on a power-play goal by Brayden Gelsinger. Collin Saccoman and Gage Torrell assisted.

Matt Jurusik made two spectacular saves in the second. He flashed the leather on an LSSU power play and made a sliding save on a 2-on-1 chance later in the period.

Max Humitz scored the game-winner 3:08 into the third. He carried the puck around the net and wristed a shot far side. Torrell and Will Riedel had assists.

Jurusik was pulled for the extra attacker with 1:50 remaining, and the Lakers potted an empty net goal by Steven Ruggiero with 54 seconds left.

Tech outshot LSSU 32-29 after taking 27 shots in the final two periods. Jurusik had 26 saves and Mareks Mitens stopped 30 shots for the home team.

Tech is now 12-15-4 and 11-9-3-1 in the WCHA. The Huskies and Lakers will wrap up the WCHA series at 7:07 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 16).