Huskies win 3-1 Saturday for sweep of Seawolves Play Video

Huskies win 3-1 Saturday for sweep of Seawolves

HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech hockey team picked up its fourth WCHA sweep of the season after a 3-1 victory over Alaska Anchorage Saturday (Feb. 23) at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Alec Broetzman had a goal and an assist, while Brian Halonen and Justin Misiak also scored for the Huskies.

"It's good for the guys' confidence," Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. "I'm always looking for a really good quality of play, and I thought we had five good periods of hockey this weekend and grew as the game went on tonight. We got contributions from everyone that stepped on the ice tonight.

"The last month has been outstanding. The results haven't shown but we played well at Lake State last weekend and against Minnesota State during Winter Carnival. We've been playing good hockey."

The Huskies (14-16-4, 13-10-3-1 WCHA) jumped out to a 3-0 lead Saturday. Brian Halonen scored 12:58 into the game for the lead when he ripped in his team-leading 12th of the season and second on the weekend. Jake Jackson carried it into the zone and fed it over to Trenton Bliss. Halonen caught a drop pass and went in alone on goaltender Kris Carlson. His 12 goals are tied for third in the country amongst rookies.

Alec Broetzman put Tech up 2-0 with a power-play goal 8:49 into the second. He blasted in a one-timer from the top of the circle with Colin Swoyer and Keegan Ford adding the assists. It was Broetzman's sixth of the season and third on the man advantage.

"It was just nice to finally see one go in," Broetzman said. "Everyone around me was making plays, and it was nice to finish one off. It was a play we've been working on, and I knew the pass was coming."

Justin Misiak made it a three-goal lead 2:10 into the third, scoring his sixth of the season. He whacked in a loose puck at the side of the net after his first two shots were saved. Broetzman added the assist for his fourth multi-point game of the season.

UAA (3-26-3, 2-21-3-2 WCHA) got a 5-on-3 power play with 5:38 remaining in the game and then pulled the goaltender. Moments after the first power play expired the Seawolves got on the board when Jeremiah Luedtke jammed in a rebound at the side of the net. Assists went to Nicolas Erb-Ekholm and Tomi Hiekkavirta.

The Huskies didn't allow a shot on goal from that point on and outshot UAA 42-22 in the game. Matt Jurusik made 21 saves for his ninth win of the season. Carlson stopped 39 shots for the visitors.

"I think I'm just playing calm, relaxed, and consistent and competing on shots," Jurusik said. "I'm not scrambling in net. I'm seeing the puck pretty well, and that's a credit to the guys in practice helping me prepare."

Michigan Tech Athletics presented the Portage Health Foundation a check for $10,417.65 for its Flood With Love relief effort. The donation was raised from the various Copper Country Strong events the Huskies held throughout the year.

Saturday's game was also the annual Junior Hockey Night and Skate With The Huskies.

Tech will wrap up the regular season next weekend against Northern Michigan. The two teams will meet Friday in Houghton and Saturday in Marquette. The puck drops at 7:07 p.m. each night. Friday will be Senior Night at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Keegan Ford, Jake Jackson, Devin Kero, Jake Lucchini, and Dylan Steman will be honored on the ice after the game.