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MTU Hockey Huskies Win Great Lakes Invitational
 DETROIT----Michigan Tech claimed its 10th GLI title with a 4-0 victory over No. 7-ranked Western Michigan Sunday night at Joe Louis Arena. The Huskies' Phoenix Copley, who slammed the door on Michigan in a 4-0 win Saturday night, became just the second goaltender in GLI history to post back-to-back shutouts. He was named the winner of the John MacInnes Trophy as the tournament MVP. The MacNaughton Cup, given to the GLI Champion, is in the possession of the Huskies for the first time since 1980, when head coach Mel Pearson was a Huskies' player. "I'm enjoying this more as a coach. You realize you're representing not only your team, but your university and community," said Pearson. "I couldn't be more proud of our guys. We went out, played as a team and earned this. It's special." Similar to last night's 4-0 victory over Michigan, Tech needed to weather an early storm from the opposition. WMU, which entered the GLI with one of the nation's top 10 power play units, did not convert on two chances in the first seven minutes. Tech appeared to have scored on its first power play at the 11:17 mark when David Johnstone slipped a shot under Frank Slubowski's pad. The goal was reviewed and disallowed because of goaltender interference. Later in the frame (18:28), Dennis Rix connected on a harmless-looking shot from the left halfwall. The quick wrist shot beat Slubowski over his glove shoulder and popped the water bottle off the net. Tech maintained a 1-0 advantage through the second period, even though another apparent goal was waved off when the officials said the whistle had blown before the puck crossed the goal line. Sophomore Blake Hietala left nothing to review 3:23 into the third when he sniped a shot from the hash marks into the upper left corner of the net. Fourth line mates Daniel Holmberg and Aaron Pietila assisted on the goal, which pushed the margin to a more comfortable 2-0. Copley was tested in the third as Western had three more power plays including 39 seconds of 5-on-3. He withstood a barrage of eight shots during the Huskies' penalty kill but stood tall. WMU (11-5-2) pulled its goaltender with 2:43 left and skated with the extra attacker for 1:34 before Tanner Kero iced the game with a shot from the neutral zone. The Broncos were called for checking from behind with 31 seconds left, and Aaron Pietila added a power-play marker for the team's fourth tally of the night. "It was our time," said Pearson. "I'm so happy for the alumni who have come to this tournament for the last 30 years and supported us. "This win is going to be a big boost for us going forward." Copley made 32 saves tonight for a total of 70 on the weekend. His back-to-back shutouts are believed to be the first by a Tech netminder since Bob McManus in the 1950s. Tech received a combined five points from players who were not in the lineup last night (Hietala 1-1=2, Holmberg 0-2=2 and Mikael Lickteig 0-1=1). The Broncos went 0-for-7 on the power play (0-for-12 on the weekend). The Huskies were 1-for-6 on the man advantage. Michigan Tech (6-10-3) will have next weekend off before returning to WCHA play at Minnesota Duluth Jan. 11-12. FRIDAY'S GAME: MICHIGAN TECH 4, MICHIGAN 0---Michigan Tech freshmen Jujhar Khaira and Alex Petan combined for three goals and freshman goaltender Pheonix Copley made 38 saves en route to a 4-0 shutout victory over Michigan in the second semifinal of the 48th Annual Great Lakes Invitational at Joe Louis Arena. Khaira (one goal, two assists) and Petan (two goals) accounted for five points in the contest. Tech will make its first appearance in the GLI Championship game since 2007 when it faces Western Michigan on Sunday. "I thought our goaltender really stood out tonight, and the rest of the team settled down and did their job," said Tech head coach Mel Pearson. "I couldn't be prouder. You have to earn it. Nobody's going to hand it to you. I thought we beat a really dangerous Michigan team tonight." The Huskies were firing on all cylinders after a two-week layoff over Christmas. Tech scored a power play goal on three opportunities and killed off all four of its penalties. Petan scored 5:10 into the first after Khaira fed him a pass in the slot for a quick shot. Petan's fifth of the season beat Michigan goaltender Adam Janecyk low inside the left post. The tournament hosts lit the lamp again late in the first as a Riley Sweeney shot from the point redirected off both David Johnstone and Khaira into the upper right corner. Khaira's fourth goal of the season was his fourth on the power play. The score remained 2-0 into the third period as Copley made 29 saves in the first 40 minutes. Petan broke the game open with a highlight reel goal 4:15 into the third. He took a cross ice pass from Johnstone, then deked before sliding the puck around Janecyk's outstretched pad. Junior defenseman Tommy Brown recorded his first career goal two minutes later as his shot from the left point found its way through traffic. Copley made several big saves down the stretch to finish with 38 and preserve his first career shutout and second win over a Big Ten team this season (the other vs. No. 1 Minnesota Oct. 19). STORY AND PHOTO COURTESY OF MTU SPORTS INFORMATION. |
