This story and photo are courtesy of Michigan Tech Athletics
MINNEAPOLIS – The Michigan Tech hockey team opened its 2025-26 season with a 6-3 loss at No. 8 Minnesota on Friday. The Huskies lead 3-2 to begin the third period but surrendered four goals, including an empty-netter.
"I was happy with two periods of play," Tech coach Bill Muckalt said. "We gave up a lot of goals off of transition and the rush. We know they're a dangerous and skilled team, but we're not going to win a lot of games giving up six goals. We did a lot of good things through two periods and we'll clean that up and grow."
The Huskies were down 2-1 early in the second period but started to generate puck possession. Tom Leppa was on the receiving end of a passing play from Reid Andresen, Matthew Van Blaricom and Stiven Sardarian. Leppa tapped in a backdoor feed to tie it at two 14:47 into the second, scoring his third career goal.
Ryan Abraham gave Tech its first lead of the night 69 seconds later. His initial shot was blocked but he grabbed the loose puck and made a move on the goaltender and flipped it past the blocker for the 3-2 lead. Elias Jansson and Kalem Parker assisted on Abraham's first NCAA goal in his first game.
From there it was all Gophers on the scoreboard. Brodie Ziemer tied the game only 50 seconds into the third period.
Brody Lamb gave the home team its third lead of the game 4:13 into the third period.
Erik Pahlsson made it a two-goal advantage at 12:42 of the third.
Coach Muckalt added the extra attacker with 2:42 left and Beckett Hendrickson scored the final tally on a breakaway with 2:01 remaining.
"We're a young team with a lot of new faces," added Muckalt. "I liked a lot of things about our group but just didn't get the result tonight with a tough third period."
Minnesota opened scoring 3:54 into the game when Brodie Ziemer scored his first of two on the night.
The Huskies responded at 10:22 when Rylan Gould buried a rebound after a 3-on-2 to breakout with Isaac Gordon and Teydon Trembecky. Gordon's shot was saved and Gould was at the doorstep to tie the game and get the Michigan Tech faithful cheering louder than they already were.
Tate Pritchard gave the Gophers a 2-1 lead 5:27 into the second period
Tech led in total shots 68-52 but the Gophers blocked 21 and had an on-goal advantage of 34-28. Owen Bartoszkiewicz made his first start in the Black and Gold and had 28 shots with six saves in the first and 11 in each of the final two periods. Nathan Airey had 25 saves for the Gophers.
Minnesota wasn't called for a penalty and for the first time since the 2024 CCHA Championship Game, Tech never sent out a power play unit. The Huskies were 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.
The non-conference series wraps up on Saturday at 8 p.m. Eastern at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
