It was a bit of a frustrating night for Michigan Tech. The Huskies outshot the visiting Mavericks of Minnesota State Mankato by a 38-27 margin, but could only manage a pair of goals as the visitors slipped by MTU, 3-2, in Tech’s final home game of the season.
Michigan Tech had a clear edge in the first period, including a 14-7 shots-on-goal advantage. The visitors looked as though they’d have a 1-0 lead after the opening 20 minutes, however, former Husky Rob Rankin wrapped one around and in past Cam Ellsworth at 19:32. But hard-working Brett Engelhardt forced a turnover in the Mankato end and tucked one past Jon Volp just 16 seconds later to help the Huskies forge a 1-1 tie after one period.
MSUM got the only goal of the middle stanza. It came on a power play at 16:31 as Rankin got the fortune of a good bounce and put it past Ellsworth from just below the right faceoff circle.
The Mavericks fifth power-play goal of the series gave them a 3-1 lead at 5:22 of the third with Brad Thompson doing the damage. The Huskies, despite some good chances, were kept at bay until late in the game. Head coach Jamie Russell pulled Ellsworth for an extra attacker with 1:40 to play and it payed off at the 19:38 mark as Engelhardt put home his second goal of the game and fourth of the weekend from between the circles. The Huskies won the ensuing faceoff and kept the pressure on for the remaining 22 seconds, but could not get the equalizer.
Ellsworth finished with 24 saves, while Volp had 36 stops.
