No. 4 Michigan Tips Tech Hockey 3-2 in Overtime

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan Tech and No. 4 Michigan skated 3:24 into overtime tied at 2 before the Wolverines tallied the game winner to earn a 3-2 non-conference victory at Yost Ice Arena tonight. The Huskies battled back from a 2-0 deficit, but UM's Andrew Copp fired a shot from just inside the blue line past a screened Pheonix Copley in the extra session for the game winner.

"It was a great hockey game," said head coach Mel Pearson. "There are no moral victories, and we have to find a way to win on the road. That said, there are so many really good things about this team and performance tonight."

Tech (1-5-1) erased a two-goal hole in the second period with a pair of special teams markers. Blake Pietila tipped an Alex Petan shot while on the power play at the 11:09 mark of the frame. David Johnstone also drew an assist on the play.

C.J. Eick knotted the game at 2 with his second shorthanded goal of the season. The sophomore picked up a loose puck at neutral ice and skated in alone and scored on Zach Nagelvoort at 17:05 of the second.

The Wolverines (5-1-1) held a 16-8 advantage in shots on goal in the third period. Copley saved every one of those and finished with 40 for the night.

"We had a lot of guys play well," said Pearson. "Pheonix made some incredible saves and gave us a chance to win."

Tech had several good scoring chances in the third period and overtime. Nagelvoort needed to make a combined 11 saves in the final 23:24 to earn the victory.

The Huskies jumped out to a strong start with seven of the first nine shots on goal. It was UM striking first, however. Phil Di Guiseppe was able to skate clear of the Tech defense and slip a shot through Copley 8:13 into the game.

The hosts added to their lead 1:10 into the second on a lucky bounce when Luke Moffat's shot bounced off a defenseman into the net.

Tech mounted its comeback 10 minutes later on Pietila's first of the year and the team's third power-play marker of the campaign.

The Huskies held the Wolverines' potent power play scoreless on four chances. Tech was 1-for-5. The final shot total was 43-36 in favor of Michigan.

The teams, skating in their first two-game series in Ann Arbor since 1984, will wrap up their series tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit.