Chase Pietila score power play goal for Huskies
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – In its first first-ever game in South Dakota, Michigan Tech fell 5-1 at Augustana on Friday. The Vikings scored three power-play goals, and the Huskies dropped to 15-12-2 overall and 11-8-2 in the CCHA.
“Right now, we’re struggling to find our game individually and collectively,” Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. “The more we try to do offensively, the more we give up defensively. We need some guys to step up if we want to make a playoff push.”
Chase Pietila scored the lone goal of the game for the Huskies 2:36 into the second period to tie it at one. He one-timed in a cross-zone feed from Max Koskipirtti for his sixth of the season and third on the power play. Rylan Brown also assisted for his fifth assist in the last three games.
Joey DelGreco gave the home team its lead back at 8:17 of the second. He was standing in the crease and backhanded in a rebound, with Brett Meerman and Hayden Hennen assisting.
Hunter Bischoff made it a two-goal game, stepping out of the penalty box and scoring on a breakaway for his second goal of the night with 4:24 left in the second period.
In the third period, Tyler Hennen scored a power-play goal for a 4-1 lead 5:27 after intermission, putting in a backdoor pass from Nace Langus and Easton Young.
Luke Mobley scored the final goal on the power play with three seconds left in the game.
Augustana (17-9-3, 9-5-1 CCHA) opened scoring 16:41 after puck drop when Hunter Bischoff slammed in a centering feed by Colton Friesen from behind the net. Easton Young added the second assist.
Shots favored the home Vikings 27-19. Ryan Manzella made 22 saves for the Huskies, and Josh Kotai stopped 18 shots for Augustana.
Tech was 1-for-2 on the power play and 2-for-5 on the penalty kill.
Tech and Augustana wrap up their only meeting of the season at 7:07 p.m. Eastern on Saturday back at Midco Arena.
