Beavers capitalize on big second period to defeat Huskies
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Michigan Tech (1-3-1) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
|
Bemidji State (1-1-0) | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
BEMIDJI, Minn. – Michigan Tech fell 6-3 at Bemidji State Saturday (Dec. 12). The Beavers scored four goals in the opening 6:40 of the second period to break a 1-1 tie and take a commanding lead.
"We made a couple of bad pinches that ended up in 2-on-1 opportunities for them," Assistant Coach Chris Brooks said. "We did have our chances though and Driscoll had some big saves.
"We need to be a lot better than we were in certain situations. We need to manage the puck better and get numbers around the puck. We get off track at times when we don't do our job and try to do other people's job."
The Beavers opened scoring 11:03 into the game with a long shot from the point by Elias Rosen that got deflected in front of Mark Sinclair. Carter Jones assisted on the play.
Trenton Bliss tied the game 1:56 later when he capitalized on a turnover. A long dump-in by Tyrell Buckley wrapped around the boards. Goaltender Zach Driscoll misplayed the puck behind the net out to a wide-open Bliss. Buckley earned his first collegiate point with the primary assist. Eric Gotz added the secondary helper.
BSU (1-1) scored four quick goals to open the second. Brendan Harris scored 53 seconds after intermission to take the lead on a 2-on-1 rush. Ethan Somoza put in a rebound at 5:46. Alex Ierullo made it 4-1 only 10 seconds later. The Sillinger brothers connected 44 seconds later to make it 5-1.
Carson Bantle stopped the bleeding for the Huskies with his first career goal 15 seconds after the Beavers took the four-goal lead. Justin Misiak won a faceoff back and Bantle quickly wristed it in.
"I thought Carson was excellent," added Brooks. "He competes so hard on pucks. He's just going to continue to grow and grow. He works so hard and wants to go above and beyond. Nothing's going to stand in his way."
Nick Cardelli scored on a 2-on-1 for Bemidji State's final goal of the game with 7:11 left in the second.
Alec Broetzman scored his first goal of the season 9:28 into the third period to push it back to a three-goal game. Logan Pietila had a stretch pass to spring Broetzman on the breakaway.
The Huskies (1-3-1) had a number of other chances. Jake Crespi hit the post on a rebound in front of the net late in the first period. Justin Misiak had a chance on a rebound in the second but Driscoll made a tremendous diving glove save. Driscoll was again able to deflect Greyson Reitmeier's rebound chance midway through the third.
Tech outshot BSU 32-30. Driscoll had 29 saves for the home team. Mark Sinclair made 14 saves in the first 26:40. Blake Pietila stopped 10 shots in the final 33:20.
Both teams were 0-for-2 on the power play after four minors were called.
Nick Nardella made his Michigan Tech debut Saturday.
"We have to regroup and recover and get ready for tomorrow," Brooks said. "We have to make decisions to give us the best opportunity to compete tomorrow night. If it means three new guys come into the lineup then we'll do that. We have to watch film and evaluate."
The two teams wrap up the nonconference series on Sunday at 3:07 p.m. at the Sanford Center.
