Mavericks edge Huskies Saturday in WCHA action Play Video

Mavericks edge Huskies Saturday in WCHA action

HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech hockey team fell in a tight 2-1 game to No. 3 Minnesota State Saturday (Nov. 9) at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Seamus Donohue scored the lone goal for the Huskies.

"I thought it was a pretty good hockey game both ways," Tech assistant coach Chris Brooks said. "We played hard and executed when we got up on the forecheck and sustained pressure.

"I thought we responded really well to that first goal. The guys stuck with the game plan tonight, and we just have to continue to grow as a team."

Down 1-0 after the first period, Donohue tied the game for his first goal of the season and fifth of his career. Trenton Bliss, Justin Misiak, and Logan Pietila forechecked in the corner and the Mavericks worked the puck out but found Donohue in the slot. He blasted the bouncing puck into the upper corner.

"The forwards made a good play down low," Donohue said. "The puck just popped loose. I stepped up and tried to put it on net."

MSU (8-1-1, 5-1 WCHA) regained its lead 13:53 later when Parker Tuomie scored. Edwin Hookenson and Dallas Gerads added the assists.

The Mavericks held a slim 20-18 edge in shots on the night. Freshman Blake Pietila made his first collegiate start for the Huskies and stopped 18 shots in his second appearance on the weekend.

"I was a little nervous at first," Pietila said. "I would've liked to play that first goal a little better, but I think I settled in from there."

"I thought he was pretty good," added Brooks. "He came in in a tough spot last night. I know he probably wants that first goal back but we didn't help him in that situation with a bad change. He settled in after that and played well."

The Mavericks opened scoring 4:55 into the game when Charlie Gerard scored from Marc Michaelis.

Tech (3-6, 1-5 WCHA) was 2-for-2 on the penalty kill and 0-for-2 on the power play.

"I think there are a lot of positives to take out of the game tonight," Donohue added. "We're getting better as a team but there are still things to clean up in practice. As frustrating as losing is, we just need to stay positive and grow on the good things we're doing."

The Huskies travel to Lake Superior State next weekend for the first of two meetings with the Lakers this season.