Derek Mullahy 25 saves for Huskies
HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Tech defeated St. Thomas 2-1 on Friday at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Rylan Brown scored a third-period, power-play goal to break a 1-1 tie as the Huskies improved to 8-4-1 overall and 6-2-1 in the CCHA.
“I’m extremely proud of the guys,” Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. “Our penalty kill was outstanding, the goaltending was solid again, and our power play got the goal when we needed it. Winning the third period was another important thing for us to do.
“St. Thomas is a tremendous hockey team. They’ve put a good group together and are outstanding at everything they do. We found a way to grind out a win against a tough team.”
After St. Thomas scored 11:34 into the first period, the Huskies quickly answered 2:31 later. Stiven Sardarian controlled the puck and took a backhanded shot at the net. Owen Baker found perfect position to bang in the rebound for his first goal as a Husky. Rylan Brown added the second assist.
There wasn’t any scoring in the second period but the Huskies killed off three penalties.
The game-winner was scored on a long shot with Elias Jansson providing a screen in front. Brown’s shot deflected off a defenseman and up and over the goaltender. It was Brown’s second of the season—both coming on the power play. Chase Pietila and Max Koskipirtti assisted on the goal.
St. Thomas (3-9-4, 2-6-3 CCHA) got a late power play with 3:45 left, but the penalty killing unit went to work again and killed off its fifth of the night without allowing a shot on goal on the last try.
The Tommies pulled their goaltender with 1:27 remaining but Viktor Hurtig, Tom Leppa, and Max Koskipirtti blocked shots in front of Derek Mullahy who had to make only one save down the stretch.
Mason Poolman opened scoring 11:34 into the game to give the visitors the lead. Ryan O’Neill and Cole Miller assisted on his fourth of the season.
UST outshot Tech 26-25. Derek Mullahy earned his fifth win of the season with 25 saves. Aaron Trotter stopped 23 shots on the other side of the ice.
The two teams will wrap up the final home series of 2024 at 6:07 p.m. on Saturday. It is the annual Teddy Bear Toss game at the first intermission.
University Images and Michigan Tech Athletics will provide a number of stuffed Huskies toys for tossing, too, but fans are encouraged to bring new stuffed toys to the game. All donations received will be given to Toys-For-Tots to benefit children in need.
