Broetzman scores in OT for season-opening win
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Michigan Tech (1-0-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
|
Robert Morris (0-1-0, 0-0-0 AHA) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
PITTSBURGH – Alec Broetzman scored a shorthanded goal with 43 seconds left in overtime to lift Michigan Tech to a 2-1 win at Robert Morris Saturday (Oct. 5) in the 2019-20 season opener from Colonials Arena. It was the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
"It was a fun hockey game especially with so many of our incredible fans here," third-year Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. "I was looking forward to getting after it tonight. We certainly had our chances to score, and Jurusik was tremendous in net. I'm really happy with the way he played."
The game-winner was scored after Broetzman and Brian Halonen went into the zone on a 2-on-1. Broetzman carried the puck, paused at the faceoff dot and fired a wrist shot between the goaltender's legs for his ninth career goal and third game-winner. Freshman Chris Lipe assisted for his first collegiate point in his first game.
Alex Smith got the large Tech crowd going 2:58 into the second period as he opened scoring with a power-play tally from Seamus Donohue and Colin Swoyer. Smith tipped a centering feed from Donohue. The first shot was saved but Smith was able to jam the rebound in for his 20th career goal.
RMU tied it up 8:21 into the third period on a similar goal. Matt Jurusik had the initial shot stopped but Justin Addamo pushed the puck across the line. The officials reviewed the play and the goal stood.
Each team was whistled for five minor penalties on the night. Tech was 5-for-5 on the penalty kill and 1-for-5 on the power play.
"What a great job by our penalty killers tonight," added Shawhan. "That started with the goaltender on out."
Jurusik finished with 34 saves, stopping 12 shots in the first, nine in the second, 10 in the third, and three in overtime. He had a pair of beautiful glove saves in the first and added the game-saving glove save moments before the game-winner.
Former Ferris State Bulldog Justin Kapelmaster had 29 saves for the Colonials. Halonen and Trenton Bliss both hit the crossbar behind him.
"There's a lot of positives to take away tonight," Shawhan said. "We're a long way away from where we want to be. I like the mood on the bench. We need to evolve into being our best when our best is needed.
"It's a long season. No one was making the national tournament tonight and no one was getting eliminated from the national tournament tonight."
Freshmen forwards Logan Pietila and Parker Saretsky also made their Michigan Tech debuts on Saturday.
The two teams will wrap up the nonconference series at 3:05 p.m. on Sunday.
