Sports In Brief for Feb. 8, 2015

Top News of the Week

HOCKEY CLINCHES HOME ICE
For the first time since 1992-93, Michigan Tech will host postseason games at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. The Huskies clinched home ice in the first round of the WCHA Playoffs with their 17th league win on Saturday (Feb. 7). Tech sits in second in the WCHA standings with 35 points—four back of Minnesota State and six up on Bowling Green. WCHA first-round playoff series are best-of-three format and will be played Mar. 13-15.

CARNIVAL SWEEP!

Michigan Tech swept its Winter Carnival series last weekend with 3-1 and 2-1 scores over Bemidji State at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena. The games pushed the Huskies’ win streak to six games and gave them 22 wins—the program’s highest total since 1982-83. Riley Sweeney, who scored a goal in each game, was named Winter Carnival MVP.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RUNS WIN STREAK TO 11

The 13th-ranked Michigan Tech women’s basketball team won all three of its games last week to improve to 20-1 overall and 16-1 in GLIAC play. The Huskies have won 11 straight games to hit the 20-win plateau for the 18th time in program history and fourth time under coach Kim Cameron. Tech held two of its three opponents last week under 50 points with Northern Michigan scoring 49 and Grand Valley State going for just 41.

MEN SWEEP ROAD TRIP, HIT MILESTONES

After falling to Northern Michigan at home last Monday (Feb. 2), Michigan Tech won games at league-leading Ferris State on Thursday (Feb. 5) and at Grand Valley State on Saturday (Feb. 7). The Huskies held on to their two-game lead in the hunt for a home GLIAC Tournament first round game. Ben Stelzer became Tech’s all-time leader in 3-point field goals made (338) during Saturday’s (Feb. 7) win at GVSU. He also moved into eighth on Tech’s all-time scoring list with 1,589 career points. Coach Kevin Luke coached his 600th game on Saturday and improved to 376-224 (.627 winning percentage) as Tech’s skipper.

TECH SKIERS WIN SPRINT TITLES

Haakon Hjelstuen and Ulrika Axelsson claimed titles in the sprint races at the Central Collegiate Ski Association Sprint & Relay Championships on Sunday (Feb. 8). The men’s team finished first at the sprints and second during Saturday’s (Feb. 7) relay races. The women’s team took second both days. Michigan Tech will return to action next weekend with the CCSA Distance Championships in Minneapolis.

TENNIS OPENS 2015 SEASON

Michigan Tech played its first two dual matches of the 2015 season with a trip to St. Cloud, Minn., on Saturday (Feb. 7). The Huskies fell to host St. Cloud State 7-2 in a morning match before defeating Augustana (S.D.) 6-3 later in the afternoon. Built Yumuang and Nick Kremkow both went 2-0 in singles play on the day. The Huskies have a weekend off before opening GLIAC play at Findlay on Feb. 21.

What’s Happening Next Week

Monday, Feb. 9, 2015
Mel Pearson Show, 10-11 a.m. on Mix 93.5 FM

Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015
Huskies Drive Time, 7:30-8 a.m. on Mix 93.5 FM

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015
Women’s Basketball hosts Hillsdale, 5:30 p.m. (Live Radio, Mix 93.5 FM)
Men’s Basketball hosts Hillsdale, 7:30 p.m. (Live Radio, Mix 93.5 FM)

Friday, Feb. 13, 2015

Nordic Skiing at CCSA Distance Championships (at Minneapolis, Minn.)
Hockey at Alaska Anchorage, 11:07 p.m. (Live Radio, Mix 93.5 FM)

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015
Nordic Skiing at CCSA Distance Championships (at Minneapolis, Minn.)
Women’s Basketball hosts Saginaw Valley State, 1 p.m. (Live Radio, Mix 93.5 FM)
Men’s Basketball hosts Saginaw Valley State, 3 p.m. (Live Radio, Mix 93.5 FM)
Hockey at Alaska Anchorage, 11:07 p.m. (Live Radio, Mix 93.5 FM)

Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015
Nordic Skiing at CCSA Distance Championships (at Minneapolis, Minn.)

All times Eastern • Home events in bold

Last Week’s Results

Hockey (22-7-1, 17-4-1 WCHA)

2/7 — at No. 5 Michigan Tech 3, Bemidji State 1
2/8 — at No. 5 Michigan Tech 2, Bemidji State 1

Men’s Basketball (15-6, 12-5 GLIAC)
2/2 — Northern Michigan 67, at Michigan Tech 62
2/5 — Michigan Tech 68, at No. 17 Ferris State 60
2/7 — Michigan Tech 71, at Grand Valley State 60

Women’s Basketball (20-1, 16-1 GLIAC)
2/2 — at No. 15 Michigan Tech 57, Northern Michigan 49
2/5 — No. 13 Michigan Tech 72, at Ferris State 61
2/7 — No. 13 Michigan Tech 57, at Grand Valley State 41

Nordic Skiing
2/7-8 — Michigan Tech at CCSA Sprint & Relay Championship (at Duluth, Minn.)

Men’s Tennis (1-1, 0-0 GLIAC)
2/7 — at St. Cloud State 7, Michigan Tech 2
2/8 — Michigan Tech 6, Augustana 3 (at St. Cloud, Minn.)