Huskies Score Three Unanswered to Advance to GLI Title Game
| 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 |
DETROIT – Brent Baltus scored the game-winning goal 3:58 into overtime to give Michigan Tech a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Michigan State in the Great Lakes Invitational semifinals today (Dec. 29) at Joe Louis Arena.
Alex Gillies and Jake Lucchini also scored for Tech, which advances to its third GLI title game during the Mel Pearson era. The Huskies last won the tournament crown in 2012.
"I thought it was an even game and a good game," said Pearson. "We've been off two weeks since our last game so you never know what you're going to get. We got better as the game went on and their goalie was great for two periods. I'm extremely proud of our players for staying with it and that's one thing about this team – they'll play until the end."
The comeback started 8:22 into the third period when Gillies knocked home a loose puck from the edge of the crease. After going hard to the net, Gillies was pushed into Michigan State goaltender Jake Hildebrand but managed to regain his feet, find the puck sitting in the crease and bat it under Hildebrand to make it 2-1.
Then, with just 1:26 to play in regulation, Lucchini buried from the right circle to tie it. The play started when Mark Auk settled a loose puck and drew a defender to him before feathering a pass to Lucchini. The freshman moved to his forehand and put a wrister into the back of the net, setting the stage for Baltus' heroics.
The Huskies carried play for the majority of the contest and outshot Michigan State 36-23 – including a 27-14 advantage in the game's final 43:58.
Jamie Phillips started between the pipes for the Huskies and collected his 11th win of the season after turning in a 21-save effort.
Auk (0-2), Gillies (1-1) and Baltus (1-1) all had two points in the victory, while Cliff Watson and Chris Leibinger collected single assists.
Michigan Tech (11-6-2 overall; 9-6-1 WCHA) will play the winner of Michigan and Northern Michigan tomorrow (Dec. 30) in the 51st Great Lakes Invitational championship game. Puck-drop is set for 7 p.m. at Joe Louis Arena and the game can be seen live on FOX Sports Detroit.
NOTES: The Huskies were 0-4 on the power play. MSU scored once in four chances with the man-advantage … Gillies' two-point night matched a single-game career-high … Tech will be trying to win its 11th GLI title. The Huskies have previously won the event in 1968, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 and 2012.
