Tech wins on Winter Carnival Saturday and Senior Day
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bowling Green (15-15-2, 12-10-2) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
|
Michigan Tech (21-8-4, 14-6-4) | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
HOUGHTON, Mich. – No. 12 Michigan Tech earned a Winter Carnival split with a 4-2 victory over Bowling Green Saturday on Senior Night at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena. The Falcons held a 1-0 lead before the Huskies scored three straight and then sealed the win with an empty-netter.
"We had a lot of nervous energy last night, and I think we were more settled in and focused tonight," Tech Coach Joe Shawhan said. "We bounced back in a big way, and Kyle Kukkonen had a really big weekend for us.
"I'm really happy for the seniors. It's always bittersweet on Senior Night. They've won a lot of games for Michigan Tech hockey."
With the win, Tech matches last season's win total as the Huskies improved to 21-8-4 overall. The Black and Gold also jumped Minnesota State for the top spot in the CCHA standings. The Huskies and Mavericks will play for the MacNaughton Cup as CCHA Regular Season Champions in the regular season finale on February 24-25 in Mankato.
The win also guaranteed a CCHA first-round home playoff series on March 4-6. Ticketing information will be released soon.
Kyle Kukkonen was named Winter Carnival MVP after scoring four goals on the weekend with a pair of tallies each night. Royal Majesty Josie Edick presented the award with Jerry, Scott, and Betty MacInnes also present on the ice.
"It was such a big win, especially for the seniors, and it was a blast to be a part of Winter Carnival for the first time," Kukkonen said. "It was a big win. We were disappointed in some of the areas of our game last night and to get a win against a good team like Bowling Green is big for our group."
After not giving up a power play goal over the last 10 games, Austen Swankler finally cracked the unit to give the Falcons the lead 10:54 into the game.
It didn't take long for Tech to respond as Kyle Kukkonen buried his third of the weekend. He gathered a long stretch pass from Jed Pietila and fired a wrist shot over the blocker of the goaltender at 14:41 of the first. Jake Crespi also assisted on the goal.
Ryland Mosley tipped in a shot by Brett Thorne for a 2-1 Michigan Tech lead 8:24 into the second on the power play. It was Mosley's 12th of the season and third on the power play with Tristan Ashbrook also assisting.
Tristan Ashbrook made it a two-goal lead 2:49 later when he banged in a rebound after a shot by Jack Works was saved. Brett Thorne picked up his second assist on the night with the dump-in from the point.
The Falcons (15-15-2, 12-10-2 CCHA) cut into the margin with an extra attacker goal with 1:41 left in the third. Nathan Burke scored on a redirect.
BGSU pulled its goaltender again and Kyle Kukkonen scored into the empty net for his fourth goal of the weekend and team-leading 14th of the season.
Tech led in shots 28-23. Blake Pietila made 21 saves to earn his 55th career win which is three shy of tying a Michigan Tech record. Christian Stoever stopped 24 shots for the Falcons.
The Huskies were 1-for-2 on the power play and 4-for-5 on the penalty kill.
BGSU captain Alex Barber was presented the MacInnes Trophy after the Falcons outscored the Huskies 7-6 in the Winter Carnival series.
Seniors Tristan Ashbrook, Jake Crespi, Logan Ganie, David Jankowski, Chris Lipe, Ryan O'Connell, Blake Pietila, Logan Pietila, Parker Saretsky, and Brett Thorne, were honored on the ice after the game. All 10 were in the lineup Saturday.
The Huskies have the weekend off before wrapping up the regular season at Minnesota State on February 24-25. The Mavericks play at Bemidji State next weekend.
