Manzella stops 31 shots; Isaac Gordon scores overtime game-winner
MANKATO, Minn. – Michigan Tech shutout No. 12 Minnesota State 1-0 Saturday at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. Freshman goaltender Ryan Manzella earned his second shutout—both coming in 1-0 victories on back-to-back Saturday nights. Isaac Gordon scored the game-winner 1:45 into the extra session.
“I’m really proud of the performance. Every guy competed extremely hard which is what we lacked last night and our attention to detail was strong,” Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. “Ryan Manzella stood tall all night and did a great job. I also give a lot of credit to Maxx Fredrickson on the challenge. That proved to be a big deal.”
Manzella improved to 4-0 on the season, finishing with a season-high 31 saves. He stopped seven shots in the first, 13 in the second, and 11 in the third.
The line with Alex Nordstrom, Ryder Matter, and Lauri Raiman created a scoring chance with 1:55 left in the third and some pushing and shoving ensued. The officials sent two players from each team to the box. Coach Shawhan and his staff then challenged for a major penalty after Nordstrom was crosschecked in the neck. A 5:00 major was called.
Tech wasn’t able to score on the power play during regulation but the man advantage carried over into the overtime. Stiven Sardarian took a shot that was blocked out front. Logan Morrell flipped the loose puck over to Isaac Gordon and he slammed it into the open net for the win. It was Gordon’s fourth goal of the season and 22nd of his career.
Alex Tracy made 24 saves for the home team. Trevor Kukkonen had six shots on goal and Stiven Sardarian got five on net.
The teams combined for 13 penalties. Tech was 1-for-3 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
The Huskies won the faceoff circle 31-21 with Logan Morrell winning 18 draws.
Tech improved to 13-9-2 and 9-5-2 in the CCHA and 6-2-1 on the road.
The month wraps up against Northern Michigan next weekend. The Huskies and Wildcats will play in Houghton on Friday and Marquette on Saturday.
