VanBlaricom scored three goals in the series
No. 19 Michigan Tech defeated No. 14 Minnesota 3-1 on Sunday at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena, earning a non-conference sweep in the season-opening series.
It was the Huskies’ first sweep of the Gophers since Jan. 2005 and the first sweep in Houghton since Jan. 1998. The last time Tech won three straight games over Minnesota in the series that dates back to 1922 was from Jan. 1977-Jan. 1978.
“We challenged the team in the second intermission, and they responded with a good third period. We almost killed off the whole major and then took advantage of our late power play with Teydon scoring a big-time goal. Elias made a great play on the empty netter.
“Minnesota is a heck of a hockey team. They’ll win a lot of games this season.”
Leading by one in the third period, the Huskies were whistled on a five-minute major. The penalty-killing unit went to work and stood tall, handling the first eight shot attempts, before Mason Moe finally tied the game, finishing off a nice passing play from Axel Lofgren and Evan Murr with 16 seconds left in the penalty.
The Huskies got a power play of their own with 3:47 left in the third. Tyler Miller worked the puck down to the goal line for Noah Reinhart. He fed it across the crease and Teydon Trembecky one-timed in a bouncing puck to send the Sunday afternoon crowd into a frenzy with 2:46 left. It was Trembecky’s 16th career goal.
Matthew Van Blaricom sealed the win with his third goal of the weekend. Elias Jansson had the breakout pass, and Van Blaricom blew by a defenseman to score his fifth career goal.
Conner Roulette opened the scoring with his first NCAA goal 6:12 into the second period. Tyler Miller fed it over for a one-timer, while Michael Cicek added the second assist.
Minnesota led in shots 30-26. Former Gopher Owen Bartoszkiewicz beat his old team for the third time in the Black and Gold with 29 saves. Luca Di Pasquo had 23 saves for the visitors.
Michigan Tech opened its 2026-27 season with a 3-2 victory over No. 14 Minnesota on Saturday at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Matthew Van Blaricom had two goals and an assist for the Huskies.
“I was impressed with both teams. It was a tremendous game, but we were able to make one more play in the third period and hang on,” Tech coach Bill Muckalt said. “I’m excited for our group, and it’s going to be another tough game tomorrow.”
The teams entered the third period deadlocked at two. The eventual game-winner was scored when the Gophers tried to clear the puck out of their defensive zone. It bounced off the glass to Kalem Parker, who made a quick pass to Matthew Van Blaricom for a one-timer as the goalie tried to get back into position. It was Van Blaricom’s fourth career goal.
“It was a surreal feeling—especially hearing my name chanted—but all the credit goes to the rest of the team. We played our hearts out and stuck to our game plan,” Van Blaricom said. “Parks made a great feed. I caught it and ripped it.”
Minnesota pressured, and Owen Bartoszkiewicz had to make seven saves down the stretch while his teammates blocked four other shots.
There was a faceoff with one-tenth of a second left, and Michael Cicek was able to eat up the time on the draw.
Matthew Van Blaricom opened the game’s scoring 16:19 into the first period when he had a quick one-timer through traffic that found its way in. Carson Birnie and Tom Leppa assisted on the first goal of the season for the Huskies.
The Gophers tied it up early in the second when Tate Pritchard scored on a breakaway from Finn Loftus at 1:25.
Elias Jansson gave the Huskies their lead back with his 21st career goal at 6:29 of the second period. Luke Shipley created a turnover on the boards, and Van Blaricom had a touch pass to Jansson in the high slot. He fired it low blocker.
Minnesota found an equalizer when Beckett Hendrickson jammed in a loose puck. Axel Lofgren and Brooks Cullen added the assists.
The Gophers led in shots 31-28. Owen Bartoszkiewicz earned his 35th career win with 29 saves. Luca Di Pasquo stopped 25 shots on the other side of the ice.
Each team only got one power play as the teams combined for only four penalties.
Michigan Tech continues non-conference play next weekend with a trip to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, facing the St. Cloud State Huskies.
