Tech Opens 51st GLI with Semifinal Showdown vs. Michigan State
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Michigan State (5-12-2 (1-3-0-0)) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
|
Michigan Tech (11-6-2 (10-6-1)) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Michigan Tech vs. Michigan State | |
| Date | Dec. 29, 2015 |
| Times | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| Location | Joe Louis Arena, Detroit |
| TV | Fox Sports Detroit |
| Radio | Mix 93.5 FM WKMJ (Dirk Hembroff) |
| Online Audio | Pasty.net |
| Game Notes | Michigan Tech |
| Live Stats | CollegeHockeyStats.net |
| Live Tweeting | Twitter.com/mtuhky |
| Tech's Record | 10-6-2 Overall; 9-6-1 WCHA |
| MSU's Record | 5-11-2 Overall; 1-3-0 B1G |
TALKING POINTS
• The Huskies open play in the 51st annual Great Lakes Invitational today (Dec. 29) against
Michigan State at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Tech and the Spartans have already played twice this season (Nov. 21-22 in East Lansing) with the Huskies winning 5-4 in overtime in the first game before the two teams skated to a 4-4 draw in the series finale.
• Today's game marks Tech's 30th all-time meeting with MSU at the GLI. The Spartans own a 23-5-1 advantage in the series, but the Huskies earned a win in the last semifinal showdown between the programs - a shootout victory in the 2013 edition of the tournament.
• The game today marks the 160th all-time matchup between Tech and Michigan State. The Huskies hold a 81-74-4 edge in the series, which dates back to the 1927-28 campaign. MTU has had the upper hand lately and is currently riding a five-game unbeaten streak vs. the Spartans (3-0-2).
• The Huskies will look to continue their recent stretch of success against in-state opponents this week at the GLI. Tech is 16-5-3 over its last Houghton and a 5-3-2 mark this winter.
• Twenty-three Tech players have game experience against Michigan State. Tyler Heinonen leads all MTU skaters with seven points (3-4) in his career vs. MSU. Heinonen is tied with CJ Eick with a team-high four assists, while senior Alex Petan tops the list of Huskies in goals with four.
WAY OF THE ROAD
Michigan Tech is on an impressive run away from the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena this season. In 11 road games, the Huskies are 7-2-2, are currently riding an eight-game unbeaten streak (6-0-2) and have scored an average of 3.36 goals-per-game. MTU's 37 goals in 11 road outings ranks first in the WCHA and is the third-highest total in the nation. Tech is 22-7-2 away from home dating back to last season.
SERIES-OPENING SUCCESS
The Huskies have been consistently good in the first game of weekend sets during the 2015-16 campaign. Tech is 6-2-1 in the first game of a series and has posted a 5-2-1 mark on Friday nights. Perhaps even more impressive is MTU's ability to win its first game on the road, which it has done in four-of-six series openers.
RACE TO THREE
With a veteran cast of defensemen and one of the best goaltenders in all of college hockey, it's no surprise that Michigan Tech is unbeaten when scoring three or more times in a game (the Huskies own a 8-0-1 mark when they reach the three-goal plateau). On the reverse side, Tech has struggled to win games when its opponent notches three or more - the Huskies are 2-6-1 when it surrenders three-plus.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
The Huskies have enjoyed big contributions from their upperclassmen during the first half of the season. Through 18 games, Tech's seniors had combined for a WCHA-high 49 points (19-30) while the team's juniors were tied for second among junior classes in the league with 47 points (18-29). Michigan Tech's 16 upperclassmen (eight seniors, eight juniors) enter the GLI with a combined 96 points - the highest combined total in the WCHA and the seventh-best total in all of NCAA Division I college hockey.
STAT LEADERS
Michigan Tech is once again one of the leaders in nearly all statistical categories among WCHA programs. The Huskies begin the GLI ranking first in scoring (3.06 goals/game), scoring margin (+14) and power-play efficiency (16/61, 26.2%). Tech is also in the top- half among WCHA foes in team defense (3rd, 2.28 goals against/game) and shots on goal margin (2nd, +123).
IN THE NHL
Three former Michigan Tech players have skated in the National Hockey League this season as Tanner Kero (Chicago), Jujhar Khaira (Edmonton) and John Scott (Arizona) have all spent time in the NHL during the early part of the 2015-16 campaign.
PEARSON NOW IN FIFTH YEAR
Head coach Mel Pearson is now in his fifth season behind the bench at Michigan Tech. Pearson had 72 wins during his first four winters in Houghton, including 12 victories against teams ranked in the top-10. Pearson-led teams have also compiled a 2-1-1 record against No. 1 ranked teams. Already the second-most winningest coach in Tech hockey history, Pearson has orchestrated an incredible turnaround of the hockey program at Michigan Tech.
NHL DRAFT PICKS
Five players on the Michigan Tech roster have been selected in the NHL Entry Draft. Tech's five drafted players is the most of any program in the WCHA.
The list of players drafted includes:
• Senior goaltender Jamie Phillips is a pick of the Winnipeg Jets, who took him in the seventh round (190th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.
• Junior blue-liner Cliff Watson was selected in the sixth round (168th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft by the San Jose Sharks.
• Sophomore defenseman Dane Birks was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the sixth round (164th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.
• Sophomore defender Matt Roy went to the Los Angeles Kings during the seventh round (194th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft.
• Freshman forward Jake Jackson was taken by the San Jose Sharks in the seventh round (201st overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.
BREWSTER SERVING ON STAFF OF U.S. NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM
Michigan Tech athletic trainer Brian Brewster is in Finland working on the staff of the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship. Brewster is one of several ties between Michigan Tech and USA Hockey. Brewster has previously represented the U.S. at numerous international events, including serving on the staff of the gold medal- winning 2010 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team and several stints with the U.S. National Inline Team during the International Ice Hockey Federation World Inline Championships.
FOLLOW THE HUSKIES
Be sure to follow Michigan Tech hockey on social media for the latest news and coverage of the program. The Huskies are on Twitter (@mtuhky), Facebook (/MichiganTechHockey), Instagram (@mtu_hockey) and Snapchat (mtuhuskies). Join the conversation using hashtags #mtuhky and #FollowTheHuskies.
ON DECK
The Huskies will head to Arizona for the first-ever Desert Hockey Classic on Jan. 8 and 10 in Glendale. Tech is set to play Connecticut in the tournament's semifinals on Jan. 8 before the event concludes with third-place and championship games on Jan. 10. Arizona State is hosting the tournament, which also includes Yale.
MEL PEARSON SHOW
Back for another season is the Mel Pearson Show featuring Coach Pearson and Dirk Hembroff discussing all things Michigan Tech hockey. The show airs live on Mix 93 FM every Monday at 10 a.m. and can be heard anytime on MichiganTechHuskies.com.
WCHA.TV
Followers of the WCHA can watch every league game live online thanks to WCHA. tv. Several subscription options are available, including league-wide and single-team packages. Additional details can be found on the WCHA website or by logging on directly to WCHA.tv.
BLUE LINE CLUB
The Michigan Tech Blue Line Club welcomes all individuals who are interested in promoting and assisting the Huskies. By joining the MTU Blue Line Club, fans are showing support for the program. Several membership options are available and can be found on MichiganTechHuskies.com.
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS
Single-game tickets to all Michigan Tech hockey home games are available at the Student Development Complex Ticket Office, online at BuyHuskiesTickets.com or over the phone at 906-487-2073. The Huskies played seven regular-season home games in the second half of the season.
