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Posted: Mar 12, 2016

Tech Sweeps Alaska, Advances to WCHA Final Five

Tech Sweeps Alaska, Advances to WCHA Final Five Play Video
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HOUGHTON, Mich. – Five different players scored goals and 10 Huskies had at least one point as No. 13 Michigan Tech beat Alaska 5-3 to complete the two-game sweep in a WCHA first-round series tonight (March 12) at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

With the victory, the Huskies advance to next weekend's WCHA Final Five in Grand Rapids, Mich.

"It was a hard-fought game," said head coach Mel Pearson. "Alaska played hard and when we got up 4-1 you thought it might be the game, but they hung in there. That being said, we found a way to win. We didn't give them much in the third period and I really liked how we played late in the game."

Alaska scored first 2:27 into the contest, but goals by Alex Petan and Reid Sturos 31 seconds apart midway through the opening frame gave Tech a 2-1 lead after 20.

Petan scored his 18th of the year with an unassisted effort at 12:09. After chipping the puck through center, Petan raced up ice, found a loose puck and moved towards the slot. His initial backhand effort was stopped but he picked up his own rebound, moved to his left and buried to tie it at 1-1.

Sturos put the Huskies in front for good at 12:40 when he went upstairs from the right dot. The play started when Michael Neville won a race and held the puck in at the blue line before throwing it on net. The shot tipped off Max Vallis and right to the circle, where a swooping Sturos slammed it home for a 2-1 lead.

Alex Gillies and Joel L'Esperance buried in another quick flurry for the Huskies early in the second frame. Just as a power play ended, the Huskies worked the puck to the net and Gillies eventually knocked it home to make it 3-1.

Then, at 4:39, L'Esperance connected for the eventual game-winner. Mark Auk took a pass at the point and walked down a lane towards the net before dishing it to Vallis in front. Vallis' try was stopped but the puck sat in the crease until L'Esperance grabbed it, made a move and scored.

The Nanooks made a comeback bid and pulled to within 4-3, but Malcolm Gould buried into the empty net with 35 seconds left in the game to close the scoring.

Michigan Tech (23-8-5) will next play Friday (March 18) in the semifinals of the 2016 WCHA Final Five at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. Fans interested in attending the Final Five can purchase tickets at Ticketmaster.com, the Van Andel Arena box office or over the phone at 1-800-745-3000.

NOTES: The Huskies outshot Alaska 40-24 … Tech was 0-4 on the power play, while Alaska scored twice in four tries with the man-advantage.