Van Blaricom scores his first goal in a Tech sweater
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The Michigan Tech hockey team swept Ferris State for the second time this season, defeating the Bulldogs 5-2 on Saturday at Ewigleben Ice Arena. Four freshmen scored for the Huskies, who improved to 10-6-2 overall and 7-3-2 in the CCHA.
“I’m really proud of our team for the win and the discipline we played with,” Tech coach Bill Muckalt said. “It was really nice to see some freshmen score. It’s a special moment to get your first NCAA goal and something they’ll never forget.”
The Huskies jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Noah Reinhart got the scoring started 3:27 into the game when he slammed in a rebound after a shot by Tyler Miller was saved. Elias Jansson added the second assist on Reinhart’s fourth of the season.
Matthew Van Blaricom added to the lead in the first period, scoring his first NCAA goal. Van Blaricom one-timed it past the blocker after Tom Leppa found him alone in the slot. Carson Birnie earned his first collegiate point with the second assist.
Stiven Sardarian added to the lead 4:21 into the second, scoring his team-leading eighth of the season when he finished off a centering feed from Isaac Gordon.
Ferris scored two in a row to make it a one-goal game. Valtteri Piironen found the back of the net 1:47 after Tech took the three-goal lead to get the Bulldogs on the board.
Max Dukovac made it a one-goal game 58 seconds into the third period to keep the momentum in favor of the home team.
Brayden Boehm pushed the Black and Gold lead back to two goals, scoring his fourth of the season. He used his speed to create a chance and then put in his own rebound. Kalem Parker and Jack Anderson assisted on the goal 9:35 into the third.
Scoring wasn’t done. The Bulldogs were called for their second 5:00 major late in the game, and Carson Birnie sniped in his first NCAA goal with 5.3 seconds left. Reid Daavettila earned the assist with the faceoff win back to Birnie.
Tech led in shots 30-28. Owen Bartoszkiewicz earned his 10th win of the season and the 21st of his career with 26 saves. He stopped two breakaways by the Bulldogs. Martin Lundberg had 25 saves for the home team.
After a Holiday break, the Huskies return to action at the 59th annual Great Lakes Invitational in Grand Rapids. Tech plays in the first semifinal against Miami on Dec. 28. Michigan State and Ferris State meet in the late semifinal.
