In a game Michigan Tech Huskies coach Mel Pearson called his best game of the year, Huskies goaltender Jamie Phillips made 30 saves to help his team earn a 2-2 tie with the No. 19 Minnesota State Mavericks in a game the Huskies never led Friday night at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena.
“I told him tonight that I thought that was his best game he’s played this year,” said Pearson. “He looked in control. He looked confident. He made it look easy for the most part. I thought he was excellent.”
Trailing 2-1 in the third, the Huskies outshot the Mavericks 13-5 and were rewarded for their efforts just over halfway through the period.
Huskies defenseman Mark Auk tied the game at 10:43 of the third period when his laser of a wrist shot found the netting behind the crossbar. Winger Alex Gillies picked up the lone assist by feeding him the puck.
“It’s a pretty fun game playing against them,” said Auk. “We battled hard. It was really gritty, aggressive, smart kind of hockey. [It was good to] get back to Michigan Tech hockey here.”
The Huskies improved to 3-0-4 in games where they have played overtime.
The Huskies started fast, as winger Max Vallis, inserted into the lineup for an injured Tyler Heinonen, intercepted a clearing pass and skated in on a two-on-one with winger Reid Sturos. Vallis’ wrist shot was stopped as Sturos drew a penalty to the Mavericks.
“It always seems like a one-goal game every time we play,” said Mavericks coach Mike Hastings. “Tonight I thought we might have gotten a little bit better of the first period. I thought they got better in the third.”
The Huskies (12-7-4 overall, 9-6-2 WCHA) were whistled shortly after for too many men, giving the Mavericks over a minute of five-on-three power play time. During the advantage, Phillips gloved a wrist shot from Jon Jutzi as the best scoring chance. As the second penalty came to a close, Phillips was again sharp as Brett Knowles took a pass in the slot, but could not knock it home.
The Mavericks (11-7-5 overall, 10-2-5 WCHA) went back on the advantage when Huskies defenseman Matt Roy was called for tripping. Bryce Gervais skated through the slot and tipped a shot from Nelson at the left point, but Phillips was there again, making the stop with his facemask.
The Mavericks broke the scoreless tie almost by accident in the second period. Carter Foguth fired a shot from the right point that Phillips stopped and forced below the goal line. Zach Stepan was the first skater to the puck and he tried to feed it out into the slot. His first attempt failed, but he managed to get Phillips off the left post. Stepan’s second attempt hit Phillips and bounced into the net at 8:25.
Vallis nearly evened the game for the Huskies midway through the period off an offensive zone faceoff when he got the puck in the right circle and winged a wrist shot on goal.
The Huskies’ line of Gould, Petan, and center Dylan Steman had a long shift of sustained puck possession leading to goal for Michigan Tech. Gould got the puck from center Jake Lucchini and then made a quick pass across the slot to Petan on the back door. Petan’s initial shot was stopped, but he banged his own rebound home at 12:21.
Michigan Tech continued to play well after the tying goal. Vallis nearly gave the Huskies the lead, but his wrap-around attempt was kicked away by Pawloski.
The Mavericks regained the lead at 16:00 when Jordan Nelson cut through the slot just after an offensive faceoff. Jimmy Mullin fed the puck from the left point to Jon Jutzi at the right point. Jutzi smartly fired a low wrist shot that Nelson tipped past Phillips.
After Auk’s tying goal, the Mavericks started to press the Huskies, but it was not until the final minute that they got quality shots near Phillips.
During the overtime, Phillips lost his stick trying to keep the puck from Sean Flanagan. Flanagan could not get quality scoring chance out of the situation, however, as his shot caromed harmlessly on goal.
The Huskies had a golden opportunity at the other end when center C.J. Eick set up in slot, but his one-timer missed the net.
