DATE: January 12, 2007
Huskies take 1-0 lead into the third; score three goals in final period to win going away

HOUGHTON, Mich. (MacInness Ice Arena) - Michigan Tech scored two goals in the first eleven minutes of the third period to build a 3-0 lead and added a late empty-net goal to post a 4-1 non-conference victory over Bemidji State. BSU was held to 23 shots on goal in just its third loss since Oct. 21.

The game got off to a slow start, with the teams skating to a scoreless first period and each squad managing just six shots on goal apiece. The pace picked up in the second period, as BSU managed 10 shots on goal and the Huskies garnered 13. It was Michigan Tech which scored first, gathering the fourth Ryan Angelow goal of the season at the 8:57 mark of the period to grab the early one-goal lead.

That lead held for nearly a period, but the Huskies put up two goals in a span of 3:27 midway through the third period to put the game out of reach. BSU’s Ryan Miller (Fergus Falls, Minn.) picked up a five-minute major and subsequent game misconduct for checking from behind at the 5:46 mark of the third period, and Tyler Skworchinski helped the Huskies take advantage less than two minutes later. With assists from Jordan Foote and Malcom Gwilliam, Skworchinski’s sixth goal of the season staked the Huskies to a 2-0 advantage.

Alex Lord picked up his second goal of the season, even-strength, at the 11:01 mark of the third to complete the surge and give the hosts what would prove to be an insurmountable 3-0 lead.

Skworchinski picked up a hooking penalty at the 16:05 mark of the third, and BSU capitalized to break up the shutout at the 17:03 mark on the third goal of the season from Tyler Scofield (Prince George, British Columbia).

The Beavers pulled goaltender Matt Climie (Leduc, Alberta) with 1:57 to play in regulation and skated with an extra attacker for a minute and 32 seconds before Gwilliam scored on BSU’s empty net to ice the Husky victory.

Climie saved 24 of 27 shots faced in 58:19 of work, and took the loss to fall to 9-3-3. The loss snapped Climie’s streak of 12 consecutive starts without suffering a loss; he had not lost a goaltending decision since a 3-2 loss to Robert Morris on Nov. 10.

Michael-Lee Teslak played a 60:00 complete game for the Huskies, saving 22 of 23 shots faced. He picked up the win and saw his season mark improve to 4-5-1.

BSU committed seven penalties for 25 minutes while the Huskies were called for four minor penalties for eight minutes in the contest. BSU went 1-for-4 on the power play, while Michigan Tech converted on one of seven opportunities with the man advantage.

Michigan Tech won the first-ever meeting between the Beavers and Huskies, and the loss dropped BSU to 5-2 against Western Collegiate Hockey Association opponents this season. Since joining Division I in 1999, BSU has now played each member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association except Alaska Anchorage at least once.

Bemidji State (12-6-3) and Michigan Tech (9-12-2) wrap up their two-game non-conference series tomorrow night. Opening faceoff from the MacInness Ice Arena in Houghton, Mich. is slated for 7:07 p.m. Central time.

--beavers--