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Posted: Feb 20, 2016

Huskies, Beavers Wrap Up Series Tonight in Bemidji

Huskies, Beavers Wrap Up Series Tonight in Bemidji Play Video
Video Video Video Recap Box Score
No. 14 Michigan Tech at Bemidji State
Date Feb. 20, 2016
Times 8:07 p.m. ET
Location Sanford Center, Bemidji, Minn.
Stream WCHA.tv
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 16-8-5 Overall; 13-7-3 WCHA 
BSU's Record 14-12-5 Overall; 9-10-4 WCHA

TALKING POINTS

• No. 14 Michigan Tech and Bemidji State conclude their two-game Western Collegiate

Hockey Association series tonight at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minn. The Huskies are looking to rebound and salvage a split after falling to the Beavers 3-0 last night.

• Tonight's game is the 20th meeting between Tech and Bemidji State all-time with the Huskies holding a 9-6-4 edge in the series. Tech entered the weekend riding a 10-game unbeaten streak (7-0-3) against the Beavers before falling in last night's game. The 3-0 setback marked the first victory for BSU over the Huskies since Oct. 22, 2011.

• Although Michigan Tech has had the upper hand vs. BSU lately, the recent history between the two teams is much tighter than the records would indicate. Four of the last 10 games played in the series have gone to overtime (Tech 1-0-3 in those contests) and three of the Huskies' six victories have been by one goal.

• The Huskies have been very consistent in league play lately and are unbeaten in eight of their last nine WCHA games (5-1-3). Michigan Tech, who sits just four points behind first- place Minnesota State, has suffered a defeat in a WCHA game just four times since the start of November.

• Despite last night's loss, the Huskies have still compiled an outstanding record on the road, especially in league play. Michigan Tech is 6-1-2 on the road in WCHA outings since Oct. 23. 

• Michigan Tech's offensive consistency in road games has been impressive as the Huskies have scored 45 goals in 14 away games (3.21 goals/game).

• Jamie Phillips has played well in every game he's played vs. Bemidji State and has a 4-1-0 record to show for it. The senior netminder has made 25 or more stops in each of those four wins and boasts a 1.40 goals against average and .953 save percentage in his career vs. BSU.

• Twenty-two Tech players have game experience vs. the Beavers. Senior co-captain Alex Petan leads the Huskies in games played (11), goals (3), assists (6) and points (9) in his career against Bemidji State. 

RACE TO THREE

Tech is 13-0-2 when it finds the back of the net three or more times, including a 6-0-0 record when scoring three goals, a 4-0-2 mark when scoring four and a perfect 4-0-0 record when notching five or more goals in a game. On the flip side, the Huskies have struggled to win hockey games when its opponent buries three or more times (2-8-2 this season).

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

The Huskies have enjoyed big contributions from their upperclassmen so far this season. Entering the weekend, Tech's seniors had combined for the second best point total in the WCHA (28-40-68) while the team's juniors were third among junior classes in the league with 72 points (24-48). Michigan Tech's 16 upperclassmen (eight seniors, eight juniors) start the series vs. BSU with a combined 140 points on 52 goals and 88 assists - the third- highest combined total in the WCHA and the 17th-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 came into the weekend leading the conference in goals (84), goals per game (3.00), team defense (2.11 goals against/game), goal margin (+25) and power play efficiency (22.1%).

PETAN, PHILLIPS ON THE HOBEY BAKER AWARD FAN BALLOT

Two Michigan Tech seniors - Petan and Phillips - are among the 66 candidates on the initial fan ballot for the 2016 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, which is given annually to the top player in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey. Petan entered the weekend leading the Huskies in nearly all offensive statistical categories and ranks first among all WCHA skaters in goals (13), points (24) and points-per-game (1.14) in WCHA outings. Phillips leads the WCHA in wins with 16 and minutes played (1651:41). The 2015 Mike Richter Award finalist is the all-time leader in career shutouts at Tech (9) and is a four-time WCHA Defensive Player of the Week.

LAST TIME OUT

Phillips made 22 saves and the Huskies generated several good chances but couldn't find the back of the net and were blanked by Bemidji State, 3-0, last night at the Sanford Center. The loss ended an eight-game unbeaten streak and was Tech's first WCHA loss since Dec. 5.

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/Montreal) have all spent time in the NHL during the early part of the 2015-16 campaign. Scott, who played for Tech from 2002-06, was named the NHL All-Star Game MVP after scoring twice while leading Team Pacific to the 3-on-3 tournament championship. 

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 head back to Houghton to play host to Alaska in a key WCHA series next Friday and Saturday (Feb. 26-27).

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. Questions for Coach Pearson can be submitted by emailing dj@themix93.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.

FINAL FIVE TICKETS

The WCHA Final Five returns to Grand Rapids, Mich., and Van Andel Arena on March 18- 19. The league is offering all-tournament packages to the event, which includes tickets for both days of the Final Five. Ticket packages are $69 per person and can be found at Ticketmaster.com or over the phone at 1-800-745-3000.