Friday college recaps: Michigan Tech upsets top-ranked Minnesota
Oct. 19 was a whirlwind of a night for Michigan’s NCAA D-1 teams, headlined by Michigan Tech’s upset of No. 1 Minnesota to start their WCHA season.
Michigan Tech tops Minnesota in Houghton
Milford native Blake Pietila had two goals to help power the Michigan Tech Huskies to an impressive 5-3 win over No. 1 Minnesota. Chad Pietila, Blake’s older brother, scored for MTU, as did Alex Petan and Dennis Rix. Petan’s might have been the most impressive of the bunch; at the 3:32 mark of the first period, the freshman forward dove to catch a pass from Jujhar Khaira, maintained possession while getting back to his feet, then roofed the puck for the game’s first goal.
The win improves the Huskies’ record to 2-1-0, and gives them an early statement win in Mel Pearson’s second season. Here’s the MTU coach talking about the game:
Michigan posts six on Bentley
A.J. Treais scored two goals to erase two different deficits for the Wolverines and lead them to a 6-3 non-conference win over Bentley. For more on that game, check out our recap from Yost right here.
Michigan State rallies to top Niagara
The Spartans were held scoreless for 40 minutes, only to have third-period goals from Jake Chelios, Lee Reimer, and Matt Berry change the game from a loss to a win. Our recap from Munn can be read right here.
Ferris State beats Mercyhurst 7-3 on banner night
Andy Huff and captain Kyle Bonis both had two goals apiece as Ferris State’s night to raise some banners meant a 60-minute party on and off the ice. Travis Ouellette, Kenny Babinski and Simon Denis also scored for the Bulldogs, who are now 1-1-1 on the season. C.J. Motte started between the pipes for Ferris, and stopped 10 of 11 shots over 40 minutes of work. Charles Williams finished the night for FSU, stopping five shots in the third. The Bulldogs also batted .500 on their power-play chances, going one-for-two in the Friday night win.
Western Michigan shuts out Canisius
Looks like Frank Slubowski might be starting right where he left off last year. The Broncos’ netminder turned aside 21 shots over 60 minutes of work Friday night, recording a shutout and leading Western Michigan to a 3-0 win over Canisius. The Broncos were held off the scoresheet in the first period, but goals from Josh Pitt and Jordan Oesterle in the second period gave them a two-goal spread, and Mike Cichy’s power-play goal in the third served as insurance for the home team. Western Michigan is now 2-1-0 on the season.
Lake Superior bests Bemidji State
The Lakers fired 40 shots on goal Friday night, and two of them found their way to the back of the net in the third period. Chris Ciotti scored at the 16:51 of the final period, and Domenic Monardo added an empty-netter to ice the game for LSSU. Meanwhile, goaltender Kevin Kapalka kept the Lakers in the game while they searched for their offensive punch, stopping 27 shots en route to a shutout and his second win of the season. Lake Superior is now 2-1-0 this season.
Northern Michigan falls to Nebraska Omaha
Nebraska Omaha jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period of their game with Northern Michigan, and would hold a 3-0 lead before Darren Nowick found the scoresheet for the Wildcats in the second period. A goal from Reed Seckel wasn’t enough for the Wildcats to mount a comeback in the third, and they ended up falling to the Mavericks 5-2. Jared Coreau stopped 22 of 27 shots before being replaced by Michael Doan. It was the first loss of the season for NMU, now 2-1-0.