Huskies Win Desert Hockey Classic
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Michigan Tech (12-7-3) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
Yale (8-4-3) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Dylan Steman scored an early third-period goal and Jamie Phillips made 24 saves to help Michigan Tech earn a 2-1 shootout victory over No. 12 Yale in the Desert Hockey Classic championship game today (Jan. 10) at Gila River Arena.
The game officially goes down as tie, but the Huskies clinched the tournament title after winning the shootout 1-0.
"I'm very happy and extremely proud of our players," said head coach Mel Pearson, who has led Tech to a 3-0-3 record in overtime games this season. "We had our moments and we stuck with it. Yale is a really good team and winning the shootout and the championship is a great accomplishment for us."
The Huskies started strong and carried play for the majority of the opening frame but couldn't find the back of the net and settled for a 0-0 tie after one.
Yale pushed back in the second and eventually struck for the game's first goal 1:10 into the third, but a Steman redirect pulled Tech back to even just 1:14 later.
The scoring play started when Steman won an offensive-zone draw back to Malcolm Gould. Gould picked up the puck at the top of the circle, walked to the middle and fired as Steman was going to the net. Steman got a stick on the Gould attempt and tipped it through Yale goaltender Alex Lyon's legs and in.
Neither team scored in the final 18-plus minutes of regulation or overtime, but Alex Petan rocketed one into the top corner and Phillips denied all three Bulldogs to capture the shootout.
Michigan Tech (12-7-3 overall; 9-6-1 WCHA) returns to league play next weekend (Jan. 15-16) when it hosts Minnesota State at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Friday will be Blackout the Mac Night and UP Health Systems Game Day. Fans are asked to wear black to the game and the first 500 fans will receive a free black t-shirt. Additionally, kids will get a free Tech hockey poster.
Tickets are available at the SDC Ticket Office, online at BuyHuskiesTickets.com and over the phone at 906-487-2073.