Huskies fall in overtime at NMU on Friday

Play Video

MARQUETTE, Mich. – No. 18 Michigan Tech fell 4-3 in overtime at Northern Michigan Friday. The Huskies never trailed until the shorthanded game-winning goal with 80 seconds left.

"I thought we played hard and had some guys step up," Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. "We had the game won but gave it up late. We seem to struggle when it turns into a skill game."

Kash Rasmussen scored two first-period goals to give the Huskies the lead. He redirected a shot by Brett Thorne only 16 seconds after faceoff for his third of the season. David Jankowski extended his point streak to six games with the second assist.

Rasmussen made it 2-0 with a power-play tally 11:23 into the first for his second power-play goal of the season and fourth overall. David Jankowski took a shot that Rasmussen redirected in, while Topi Heiskanen also assisted.

NMU tied it up in the second period. Joey Larson got free in front and finished off a centering feed from Artem Shlaine 7:46 after intermission.

David Keefer tied the game with 46 seconds left in the second after finishing off a cross-ice pass from Alex Frye.

Logan Pietila gave Tech the lead 1:13 into the third when he finished off a centering feed from Ryland Mosley. Kyle Kukkonen also assisted on Pietila's fourth of the season.

NMU pulled its goaltender for the extra attacker with 2:10 left in the third and was able to find the equalizer on a goal by Josh Zinger with 1:31 left in regulation.

Midway through overtime, Arvid Caderoth was tripped, drawing a power play with 2:23 left.

A shot by Tech was blocked and then cleared out to center ice. Alex Frye picked up the puck, made a move, and ended Tech's 10-game winning streak at the Berry Events Center.

NMU led in shots 29-27. Blake Pietila made 25 saves for the Huskies and Beni Halasz had 24 for the Wildcats.

Tech was 1-for-5 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.

The two teams will wrap up the CCHA series at 6:07 p.m. Saturday at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Fans are encouraged to bring stuffed animals for the Teddy Bear Toss to benefit Toys for Tots and nonperishable food items for the Salvation Army Can Drive.