Falcons score five goals in the first period
TEMPE, Arizona – Michigan Tech fell 8-2 to Air Force in the first semifinal at the Desert Hockey Classic on Friday at Mullet Arena. The Falcons scored five goals in the first period to take control in the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
“We were off tonight. No excuses, and I’m not sure why,” Tech coach Bill Muckalt said. “We had a couple of really good practices down here to begin the trip, but credit Air Force. They capitalized on their chances early, and we dug ourselves a deep hole.”
Elias Jansson had a goal and an assist for the Huskies. He scored his fourth of the season and 16th of his career 17:24 into the second to get the Black and Gold on the scoreboard. Reid Daavettila and Jack Anderson assisted. Anderson extended his point streak to four games.
Carson Latimer scored for the second game in a row 16:48 into the third. His fourth goal of the season was assisted by Tom Leppa and Elias Jansson.
Air Force (10-7-2) had seven different goal scorers in the game. Sam Stitz had a pair of goals—both in the first period. Nick Sajevic scored 45 seconds into the game. Mason McCormick gave the Falcons a 3-0 lead before the 3:00 mark. Chris Hedden also scored in the first.
Will Staring, Aidan Willis, and Nolan Cunningham scored for Air Force in the third.
Shots favored the Falcons 38-31. Owen Bartoszkiewicz started the game and had four saves, and Ryan Manzella made his first appearance of the season between the pipes with 26 saves.
Tech was 3-for-5 on the penalty kill and 0-for-3 on the power play.
The Huskies are 11-8-2 and wrap up non-conference play on Saturday in the consolation game at the Desert Hockey Classic against either Arizona State or Alaska Anchorage.
