HOUGHTON, Mich. — After not recording a single even-strength goal last weekend against the Bowling Green State Falcons, the Michigan Tech Huskies struck four times at even strength Friday night as they cruised to a 4-1 victory over the visiting No. 20 Northern Michigan Wildcats at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena.
The Huskies’ offensive outburst was driven by captain Brent Baltus. After not scoring in his first 10 games this season, the senior winger broke through with two goals.
“[When you go] 10 games without scoring, obviously, you feel a little bit of pressure,” said Baltus. “So, obviously, it feels nice, but it feels great to get a win, especially against that team, in our home rink.”
Baltus’ first tally came late in the first period with the Huskies already up 1-0. With six skaters on the ice due to a delayed penalty, center Alex Smith moved the puck to the center of the blue line in the offensive zone. Defenseman Keegan Ford wired a wrist shot that was blocked but rebounded right to Baltus, who beat Wildcats goaltender Mathias Israelsson over the left shoulder at 16:46.
Baltus struck again at the 9:40 mark of the second period when he found a soft spot in the Wildcats’ defense and tipped a shot from winger Jake Jackson past Israelsson to give the Huskies a 4-0 advantage.
Wildcats coach Grant Potulny felt that his team did not show any level of intensity to match what the Huskies, who came into the night on a five-game winless streak, did.
“Bottom line, they played harder than we did,” said Potulny. “They were more prepared to play than we were.”
Huskies coach Joe Shawhan was happy to have his captain figure on the scoresheet in a positive way, but he was even more impressed with the way the senior led the team’s penalty kill, which held the Wildcats to 1 for 4 with just five shots thanks to a number of key blocks by Baltus.
“He blocked shots,” said Shawhan. “His leadership was incredible tonight. He just brought a tremendous level of energy and confidence.”
The Huskies came out hard and were rewarded for their quick start when winger Raymond Brice, a Houghton native, scored his second goal of the season and his first career goal at home. He did so by crashing the net and cashing in on a puck that sat in Israelsson’s feet at 11:34.
“It feels really good,” said Brice of scoring at home. “I think that was the start that we were looking for.”
The top line for the Huskies of assistant captains Joel L’Esperance and Jake Lucchini and winger Gavin Gould also found the back of the net in the second period when Gould took a pass in the slot from Lucchini and buried a wrist shot over Israelsson’s right shoulder.
Center Joseph Nardi scored his first career goal on the power play in the late stages of the second period to break up any chance of a shutout for Huskies goaltender Patrick Munson.
The teams return to action in Marquette Saturday.
WCHA Roundup
Ferris State 3, Alaska 1
The Bulldogs scored a goal in each period on their way to a 3-1 home win over the Nanooks.
Cameron Clarke, Coale Norris and Mitch Maloney all scored for the Bulldogs. James LaDouce scored the lone goal for the Nanooks.
Lake Superior State 2, BGSU 2 OT (BGSU wins shootout 1-0)
The Lakers and Falcons traded goals throughout the night as the two teams skated to a 2-2 tie. BGSU picked up an extra standings point by winning the shootout.
Max Johnson and Brandon Kruse both found the back of the net for the Falcons. J.T. Hanke and Anthony Nellis both scored for the Lakers.
No. 10 Minnesota State 5, Bemidji State 2
The Mavericks broke open a 1-1 tie in the second period with three goals, including one on the power play and another shorthanded to earn a 5-2 victory.
Marc Michaelis recorded a hat trick for the Mavericks to spark the offense. Edwin Hokenson and Nicholas Rivera also scored.
Kyle Bauman and Gerry Fitzgerald both scored for the Beavers.
Alabama Huntsville 5, Alaska Anchorage 1
A three-goal second period was enough to give the Chargers the separation they were looking for en route to a 5-1 win over the Seawolves.
Brennan Saulnier scored twice for the Chargers. Christian Rajic and Levi Wunder, who netted his first collegiate goal, also scored.
Austin Azurdia scored the lone goal for the Seawolves.
