Shawhan wins 150th game as head coach
HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Tech earned a CCHA weekend split with Lake Superior State after a 1-0 shutout of the Lakers on Saturday at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Ryan Manzella earned his first collegiate shutout in his first home start, making 21 saves to improve to 3-0.
“I think we played the game the right way tonight and played a lot more connective and unified,” Joe Shawhan said after his 150th win as head coach of the Huskies. “Manzella was on it tonight and made some really big saves. He’s a good goaltender and we’re lucky to have him. He’s off to a good start in his career.”
Manzella had nine saves in the first, four in the second, and eight in the third. It was the 10th all-time shutout of the Lakers by the Huskies, and the last Tech goaltender to earn a shutout in his home debut was Angus Redmond in 2016. Manzella had a pair of shutouts earlier this season with Sioux Falls.
“Tonight was the coolest atmosphere I’ve ever played in,” Manzella said. “The guys have been talking about how crazy it is to play here, so it was fun to be able to experience it.
“I just try to keep my head in the game no matter how many shots I’m facing. I want to always stay focused and do whatever I can to help the team win.”
Owen Baker scored the game’s lone goal 2:37 into the third period, putting in a rebound after a shot by Lauri Raiman was saved. Alex Nordstrom added the second assist on Baker’s second of the season while also negating an icing call to set up the play.
The Huskies got a late power play and were able to eat up clock. LSSU added the extra attacker with 41 seconds left but never generated a shot on goal.
Tech led in shots 31-21, taking a 27-12 advantage over the final two periods. Similar to Friday night, the Huskies found iron behind the goaltender twice. Lauri Raiman hit the post early in the game, and Trevor Kukkonen found the crossbar on the power play in the second period. Rorke Applebee had 30 saves for the visitors.
It was the second-highest-attended home game of the season with 3,373 fans. Marketplace Foods of Houghton had their annual Kids Day and purchased and gave away 500 youth tickets.
Tech is now 12-8-2 overall and 8-4-2 in the CCHA and heads on the road to No. 12 Minnesota State next weekend.
