Isaac Gordon scores game-winning goal
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The No. 11-ranked Michigan Tech hockey team opened CCHA play with a 3-1 victory at Ferris State on Friday night. The Huskies trailed after the first and scored the game’s final three goals to improve to 6-1-0 overall.
“Winning on the road in this league is tough, and we had a tough start, getting down early,” Tech coach Bill Muckalt said. “Carson had that big goal to get us started, and then Conner made a great play to Isaac on the second goal. Give Ferris credit. They played well, and we finally got that empty-netter.
“Things happen quick in this rink, and they’re coming off a bye with fresh legs. We can build on some of the things we did well tonight and touch on the things we need to be better at tomorrow.”
Trailing 1-0 entering the second period, the Huskies turned up the offensive pressure and outshot the Bulldogs 11-4 in the frame. Carson Latimer tied the game 9:41 into the period with his first of the season from Carson Birnie and Lucas Brenton. Latimer used speed to beat his defender on the outside, brought the puck in front, and buried his eighth career goal.
Isaac Gordon gave the Huskies the lead with 63 seconds left in the second, scoring his second goal of the season and the 35th of his career. Conner Roulette created an odd-man rush and fed the puck over at the last second to Gordon for a tap-in.
FSU (0-4-1) pushed in the third and outshot the Huskies 12-6, but senior goaltender Owen Bartoszkiewicz was up to the task each time. Conner Roulette sealed the win with an empty-net tally with seven seconds left for his second goal of the season and his second point of the night.
Owen Mehlenbacher opened the game’s scoring at 16:03 of the first period. Assists went to Christopher Lie and Ryan Kusler.
Shots favored the Huskies 28-25. Owen Bartoszkiewicz made 24 saves for his sixth win of the season and the 40th of his career. Alan Lendak stopped 25 shots for the Bulldogs.
Both teams were whistled for two minor penalties, and both were 0 for 2 on the power play. FSU held a slight 30-29 edge in faceoff wins.
The two teams will wrap up the CCHA series at 7:07 p.m. on Saturday at Ewigleben Ice Arena.
