Big third period lifts Huskies to 4-1 win at Alabama Huntsville

• Game Highlights
• Coach Shawhan Interview

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Michigan Tech scored four unanswered goals in the third period to defeat Alabama Huntsville 4-1 Friday (Jan. 31) at Von Braun Center. The Huskies picked up their 15th win of the season after four different Huskies scored the goals.

"The guys played really hard tonight and it was a much-needed win," Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. "It's good when you don't know who scored the goals. Usually, our goals are beautiful. The ugly ones are the ones that make a difference to break a game open, and that's what we got tonight."

Down 1-0 entering the third period, Raymond Brice tied the game for the Huskies, putting in a rebound after a long shot by Tyler Rockwell. Brice's fifth of the season was scored backhanded as he fell to the ice. Tommy Parrottino also assisted.

"Ray Brice was absolutely incredible tonight," added Shawhan. "I moved him around all night and everybody we put him with did well."

Parker Saretsky put Tech in front 1:25 later with his fifth of the season and the eventual game-winner. The UAH goaltender tried to control the puck behind the net, but Justin Misiak got down there for the Huskies and fed the puck out front to a wide-open Saretsky. Rockwell was also credited with an assist.

Brian Halonen made it 3-1 with a power-play goal from Misiak and Eric Gotz. The puck was loose at the side of the net and Halonen got a few whacks at it before it finally went in for his 10th of the season at the 9:26 mark.

Logan Pietila got in on the action when his pass out front deflected off a UAH defenseman and into the back of the net. It was Pietila's sixth of the season from Trenton Bliss and Parrottino to make it 4-1.

"We have the best student support group anywhere," Shawhan said. "This is a trip, and they rolled in here and had some locals with them. We could hear them all night long on the bench. I can't thank the support that we get from everyone associated with this program enough. They get us through the tough times and enjoy the good times."

The Huskies (15-12-3, 10-9-2-0 WCHA) dominated the first period with 19 shots on goal but couldn't find the back of the net.

UAH (1-20-4, 1-14-4-1 WCHA) took the lead 8:27 into the second period on a goal by Daneel Lategan with Liam Izyk and Bauer Neudecker assisting.

Matt Jurusik had a huge save later in the second on a 2-on-1 shorthanded chance for the Chargers. He finished with 18 saves and picked up his 14th win of the season.

Tech pounded 20 shots on goal in the third, finishing the game with a season-high 44. In total, the Huskies took 84 shots with 17 getting blocked and 23 going wide of the net.

The Huskies were only whistled for one penalty and were 1-for-4 on the power play.

The two teams will wrap up their only meeting of the season at 8:07 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 1).