Michigan Tech Blanks Northern In Hockey Contest

This story was written by NMU Sports Information

MARQUETTE, Mich. - The NMU hockey team dropped opening night of conference play in a 3-0 loss to Michigan Tech.

"We continue to build on the positives, and I think the positives were we had a lot of grade-A chances," commented head coach Dave Shyiak in his post-game press conference, who saw his Wildcats record nine shots from inside the slot or closer. "This was the most grade-A chances that we've had in any of our games this season, and we just have to convert on those. We convert on those, and [the Huskies] start playing catch-up… There was opportunities to score, we just didn't convert, and we have to continue generating those type of scoring chances."

The 'Cats only gave up one five-on-five goal, the opening tally in the first period. Both of Michigan Tech's goals in the middle frame came on the man advantage, and no goals were scored in the final 20 minutes. Michigan Tech was essentially awarded three power plays to NMU's none, as the 'Cats only look on the man advantage came as time was expiring and down three goals in the third period.

"The game changes when you aren't playing catch-up hockey; when you're playing catch-up hockey you end up chasing the game, and we were tired out there. We lost a lot of stick battles, lost a lot of board battles… and then they converted on two power-play goals and on one chance five-on-five... I liked our grade-A scoring chances, we just have to convert on those."

Ryan Ouellette was stellar once again, making 38 saves to post a .927 SV%, including 14 saves from high-danger areas.. Ouellette has now made 30+ saves in all six of his games, five of those being 36+ save performaces.

The Wildcats now look West, as the team travels to Houghton for a rematch tomorrow night against the Huskies. Puck-drop Saturday night from the 'Mac' is set for 6:07 PM. When asked about what the message to the team is ahead of tomorrow's game, Shyiak said he wants his team to stick to the process.

"Just stick with it. We can't get frustrated; when you're frustrated it sucks all of your energy out of you and you can't make plays. We know we're struggling to score some goals, but I told the guys that this was the most scoring chances we've had all year, and we have to stick together."

This story was written by Michigan Tech Athetics

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Michigan Tech hockey team began CCHA play with a 3-0 shutout of rival Northern Michigan Friday at the Berry Events Center. Derek Mullahy made 24 saves to earn the victory in net.

"We played a good complete game tonight," Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. "We got contributions from everybody that dressed. We challenged some players and they answered the bells. Derek made some big saves early until we got the offense going."

Tom Leppa opened scoring 12:12 into the game when he flipped in a rebound from right in front of the net for his first NCAA goal. Rylan Brown took a shot from the point that bounced off the back wall. Trevor Kukkonen got a piece of it before Leppa put it home. It was the first NCAA points for Kukkonen and Brown.

Tech (3-2, 1-0 CCHA) scored a pair of power play goals in the second period. Matthew Campbell setup Stiven Sardarian for a redirect in front of the net for a 2-0 lead 3:24 into the second. It was Sardarian's third of the season and 12th of his career.

Max Koskipirtti found some time and space and was able to pick his spot and fire the puck under the goalie's blocker at 6:04 of the second. It was Koskipirtti's second of the season and sixth of his career from Elias Jansson and Isaac Gordon.

The Huskies dominated the second, outshooting NMU 17-5. The Wildcats pushed in the third and pulled the goaltender with 2:55 left. They also got a late power play but Mullahy only had to make one save down the stretch and earned his first win as a Husky and second career shutout.

Mullahy stopped nine shots in the first, five in the second, and 10 in the third. Ryan Ouellette made 38 saves as the Huskies outshot the Wildcats 41-24.

Tech was 2-for-4 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.

The Huskies and Wildcats will wrap up the first CCHA series of the season on Saturday back at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. The puck drops at 6:07 p.m.