Minnesota State Defeats Huskies Saturday

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• Mel Pearson Interview

MANKATO, Minn. – The No. 17-ranked Michigan Tech hockey team suffered a 3-0 loss to No. 19 Minnesota State on Saturday (Oct. 8) at the Verizon Wireless Center. The Huskies make their season debut at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena next weekend (Oct. 14-15) against Alabama Huntsville.

"If you don't score goals you aren't going to win hockey games," Tech coach Mel Pearson said. "Penalties were another big factor tonight. The strength of their team is defense and goaltending, but their power play drove them this weekend."

The Mavericks scored three goals in the first period. The first was scored 4-on-4 by Zeb Knutson (10:32). Daniel Brickley (14:29) and Marc Michaelis (17:47) got the other tallies on the power play for the home team in the first

The Huskies found a rhythm in the second period on the power play. Shane Hanna had a pair of longs blasts get through to MSU goaltender Cole Huggins, but he was there for the stop.

Tech had a shorthanded 2-on-1 later in the second. Tyler Heinonen's pass went just out of reach of Dylan Steman.

Joel L'Esperance found himself open with the puck in front of Huggins but couldn't settle a bouncing puck early in the third. Jake Jackson had a backhanded shot off a big rebound get steered wide.

MSU's CJ Franklin added a power play goal 13:28 into the third for the 4-0 lead.

Huggins stood tall on a flurry of Tech shots with less than 5:00 to play. Jackson, L'Esperance and Matt Roy all had shots on the goal as MSU scrambled to clear the puck.

Tech was called for 13 penalties in a whistle-heavy game, while MSU had eight minors.

Devin Kero made the start between the pipes for the Huskies, making 32 saves. Huggins stopped 25 shots.

The Huskies open up the home portion of their schedule next weekend (Oct. 14-15) against Alabama Huntsville. The puck drops at 7:07 p.m. both nights at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

"When things aren't going your way that brings out the true character in your team," added Pearson. "We came into two of the toughest buildings in the country, and we played pretty well 5-on-5. It'll be nice to get home next weekend."

Michigan Tech welcomes back NHL All-Star MVP John Scott Friday night. John and his family will drop the puck to begin the game and he will also sign posters for fans. The first 1,000 fans to Saturday night's game get a MacNaughton Cup T-shirt.

Tickets are on sale for $18 for adults and $10 for youth. All tickets can be purchased at the SDC Central Ticket Office, online at BuyHuskiesTickets.com or over the phone at 906-487-2073. Season tickets also still on sale for $255 and includes a seat for all 14 regular season home games and the first round of the WCHA Playoffs.