Hockey Huskies Open 2013-14 with 3-2 Win over Laurentian
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Laurentian | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
|
Michigan Tech | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
HOUGHTON, Mich. — Alex Petan scored a hat trick to lead Michigan Tech past Laurentian 3-2 in preseason hockey tonight at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. The Huskies peppered Voyageurs' goaltender Alain Valiquette with 59 shots, but needed Petan's tally with 2:23 remaining to get the win.
"We did a lot of good things to create quality scoring chances," said third-year head coach Mel Pearson. "I didn't like how we finished around the net. We need to really bear down.
"Valiquette's a good goaltender, and I thought Laurentian as a whole gave us a really good test."
The teams skated through a scoreless opening period with the Huskies holding an 18-3 advantage in shots on net.
Laurentian's Adam Glynn scored just 15 seconds into the second period on a shot from the left point that bounced awkwardly in front of Pheonix Copley.
Petan evened the score 12 minutes later as he tapped home a puck lying in the crease after a Chris Leibinger shot from the point.
Tech posted 20 shots in the second frame to hold a 38-14 margin at the second intermission.
Petan gave the Huskies a 2-1 lead 1:31 into the third. Tanner Kero collected the puck after a defensive miscue and fed Petan in the slot. The sophomore slid the shot through Valiquette's legs.
The Voyageurs knotted the game at the 8:37 mark as Richard Therien redirected a Matthew Eddy shot past Jamie Phillips.
Petan's hat trick came late as he was trying to center a pass to linemate Brent Baltus. The pass deflected off a defenseman's stick and into the cage.
Valiquette finished with 56 saves for the visitors. Copley played the first two periods and tallied 13 saves. Phillips played the third period and notched six.
Michigan Tech officially open its season next Friday and Saturday (Oct. 11-12) at Minnesota Duluth. The Huskies play their first five games on the road before returning home Oct. 26 vs. Northern Michigan.
Notes: A crowd of 3,303 was on hand to witness the Huskies home opener and the debut of Tech's new video board … Petan tallied a hat trick in last year's exhibition game vs. Brock … Tech dressed 22 skaters and three goaltenders, giving all 10 freshmen on the roster a chance to see their first collegiate action.
