By Ben Shanahan
Special to the Sentinel-Tribune
HOUGHTON, Mich. — In a thriller, Michigan Tech University nipped Bowling Green State University hockey, 3-2, at the Macinnes Student Ice Arena Saturday.
BGSU falls to 5-11 overall and 3-5 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, while Michigan Tech improves to 7-7-3 and 5-3.
BGSU was resilient to the end, tying it in the second period after being down 2-0, but the Huskies scored on a late third period goal to win it.
“We played a better first period tonight, so we were happy with the start,” BGSU coach Ty Eigner said.
“It was tough getting down 2-0, but our guys battled back and put ourselves in a position where we are tied going into the third.
“We had some good chances in the third period but didn’t capitalize. Ultimately, our guys never quit and gave themselves a chance. It was another step forward for this team,” added Eigner.
The first period was even on both sides with Michigan Tech enjoying a slight 13-12 advantage in shots.
MTU headed into the first intermission up one, however. With 4:09 left in the period, sophomore forward Kash Rasmussen fired a puck on BGSU goaltender Cole Moore, who was screened out in front, and beat him over the top shoulder.
Four minutes into the second period, Michigan Tech extended its lead as freshman Max Koskipiritti scored on a loose puck. Moore could not handle the slippery puck, making it 2-0.
BGSU cut into the MTU lead as Falcon fifth-year senior Spencer Kersten, almost parallel with the goal line, fired a puck that ricocheted off of goalie Blake Pietila and into the back of the net, bringing the Falcons to within one with 11:59 left in the middle frame.
BGSU tied the game with 9:27 remaining as Brett Pfoh’s first shot was saved, then coughed right back up by Pieltla to Pfoh, who buried the puck in the net to tie the game at 2-2.
Exactly one minute remaining into the third period, BGSU fifth-year senior Josh Noddler committed the first penalty of the game as he was called for a trip. starting the Huskies on a power play to start the final 20 minutes.
The Falcons killed the penalty to start the third, and both teams battled back and forth until BGSU got a power play of their own. MTU’s Kyle Kukkonen was for interference with 9:12 left in regulation.
Just over three minutes later, Michigan Tech scored the eventual game winner. Isaac Gordon got a shot past Moore from the blue line, winning the game 3-2.
Moore recorded 32 saves on the night which was his third best season high. Moore’s season high saves was at Western Michigan (Oct. 21) with 42 and second best being at Lake Superior State (Nov. 18) with 34.
Bowling Green will host conference member, Ferris State in Slater Family Ice Arena. Game one will be on Friday, puck drop set for 7:07 p.m. and will serve as the Holiday Game.
The action will continue on Saturday, puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m. and will serve as BG City Schools Night.
