Huskies fall at No. 14 North Dakota in US Hockey HOF Game
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Michigan Tech (3-4-0) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
North Dakota (5-1-1) | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Michigan Tech hockey team fell 3-1 to No. 14 North Dakota Saturday (Nov. 2) at Ralph Engelstad Arena in the annual US Hockey Hall of Fame Game. Justin Misiak scored for the Huskies in the first period.
"Our guys played hard tonight," Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. "We just haven't learned how to step it up when our best is needed, but we're getting there. We're showing that we can play against anybody.
"Their defense typically doesn't give up a lot. I thought we did a good job developing some scoring chances deep in the offensive zone."
Misiak buried his first of the season 5:50 after puck drop to give the Huskies the lead. Brian Halonen dumped the puck behind the net to Alex Smith who fed it out front. Misiak kicked it up to his stick and buried his 15th career goal with a backhanded shot.
North Dakota (5-1-1) tied it up 4:19 later on a long shot through traffic off the stick of Matt Kiersted. The goal was unassisted.
Tech outshot UND 9-7 in the first period and controlled most of the play. Misiak had a chance at a go-ahead tally on another backhander, and Parker Saresky had a great chance later in the frame.
The Fighting Hawks took over in the second period, firing eight shots on goal while allowing only one for the Huskies. Robbie Beydoun stood tall as the power plays grew in favor of the home team.
Jordan Kawaguchi finally broke the tie with a shot from the slot after teammate Collin Adams created a turnover. The game-winner was scored at the 12:29 mark while the two teams skated 4-on-4.
Tech got a late power play with 4:21 remaining. The Huskies weren't able to generate any quality chances. Coach Shawhan pulled goaltender Beydoun, and Gavin Hain gave the home team the two-goal lead with an empty-netter with 27 seconds left.
The Huskies were 5-for-5 on the penalty kill and 0-for-3 on the power play.
Final shots were 24-15 in favor of North Dakota. Beydoun had 21 saves with six in the first, eight in the second, and seven in the third in his second straight start.
Tech is now 3-4 on the season and returns home next weekend against No. 2 Minnesota State.
"Right now it's just about us getting better," added Shawhan. "Playing all these good teams early is going to help us later develop into the team we want to be later in the season."
The puck drops at 7:07 p.m. Friday and 6:07 p.m. Saturday against the Mavericks.
