Game 1- Western Michigan vs. Michigan Tech
By Roy J. Akers-www.skyviewsports.net
Grand Rapids, Michigan- Host Michigan Tech isn’t shy for invitations of the 50th Great Lakes Invitational. (GLI) Playing host to No. 1 Michigan State, No. 6 Western Michigan and fellow CCHA opponent Northern Michigan is a great way to launch the second half of the 2024-25 NCAA season.
Game One- Michigan Tech vs. Western Michigan University
The Skinny:
Western Michigan is not only one of the top teams in the country, but it has a team ranked ahead of them in the USCHO.com and Pairwise ratings ahead of them in Michigan State. Both MSU and Western need to win or lose in the first game to make that happen. WMU blew out No. 5 Denver at home earlier in December and split vs. Michigan a month ago. If they are to take care of business in the GLI, they will most likely start with quality goaltending. Their goaltending is top notch. Cameron Rowe is undefeated in regular season games and has a 1.56 GAA. Hampton Slukynsky, Fr, G, WMU is 3-3 with a 1.78 GAA. Keep an eye on this team in the second half of the season.
Michigan Tech- MT is 7-3-2 and 5-0-2 in the CCHA and they are playing very well. Tech won this tournament last year of MSU and beating Western Michigan will be a huge feather in their cap if they win the opener of the tournament. What www.skyviewsports.net college teams want for Christmas
Michigan Tech has some of the top scorers in the CCHA. Stiven Sardarian Jr. F leads the league with 6-10-16 and that’s not all. Three players tied for 6th in CCHA scoring. They will need to solve the formidable WMU goaltending duo to come out on top.
First Period
WMU carries the play early and nearly scores 2:45 into the game as three WMU players took wacks at the puck. The whistle brings about the games first penalty as Chase Pietila is called for slashing. WMU earns a few shots on goal but the PK was strong for the host Huskies as they killed it off. The Broncos continue to carry the play until 12.20 when Ryan Manzella almost beats WMU G Cameron Rowe but the game remains tied. Players come together in front of the WMU net at the 8:26 mark but that is quickly broken up. A centering pass from the right side on a WMU rush nearly beats Huskies’ goalie Mullahy.
Tech’s Logan Morrell had a solid chance at 12:15 of the period but Rowe, who is undefeated this season with a .941 save percentage turns Morrell away. Tech goes on the man advantage at 14:54 as Sam Sjolund is called for holding. Tech held the zone and Jack Works had a wide open net but hits a WMU skate as Rowe was beat and the score remains 0-0. WMU finally scores at 19:56 as the Broncos carry the play late and Robby Drazner picks up a fat rebound and beats Mullahy and WMU leads 1-0. Shots on Goal. WMU 10 Michigan Tech 12.
Second Period
The Broncos came out on fire peppering the Huskies net with five shots as Mullahy was very sharp early. WMU continues the play through the first half of the period. WMU doubles their lead at 10:30 of the period as Owen Michaels cycles with the puck and feeds it in the slot to Liam Valente for a wide open goal. WMU 2- MTech 0. Moments later, the Huskies Stiven Sardarian is called for hooking at 10:54. Mich Tech kills off the power play and has a goal called back due to interference at the 14 minute mark. After Tech is blanked on a power play to WMU’s Sharp, they cut the lead in half as Rowe is out of position and Ryder Matter scores at 18:09 for his first goal as a Husky. Trevor Kukkonen has the assist. WMU 2- Mich. Tech 1. SOG WMU 12/24, Tech 7/19 .
Third Period
WMU takes it deep in the zone early and they create an early chance from an even strength rush. Michigan Tech ratcheted up their offense in the first five minutes with two multi-shot offensive opportunities, but the Huskies could not finish. WMU makes the Huskies pay at 7:18 as Owen Michaels beats Mullahy to make the game three to one. Alex Bump and Samuel Sjolund with the assists. WMU 3-Michigan Tech one.
Michigan Tech finally goes bingo-bango as great puck movement and a nice bounce off the boards gives the Huskies their second goal. Trevor Kukkonen from the slot. The assists go to Alex Nordstrom and Chase Pietela at 10:38. WMU 3- Mich. Tech. 2.
Then, with 3:58 to go, Tech peppers the net after being outworked on the other end of the ice. A wide open net results in a goal by defenseman Matthew Campbell with assists by Isaac Gordon and Elias Jansson ties the game at 3. A scrum in front of the Tech net at 18:11 results in players from both teams sliding into the Huskies net. The goal was waived off by WMU and the play carries on. The regulation finishes at 3-3. SOG WMU 18/42 Tech. 11/30.
3/3 OT
Tech earns a turnover and just :35 in, they nearly score by Logan Morrell. Then WMU just nine seconds later scores as Tim Washe beats Mullahy and WMU wins 4-3.
Michigan Tech coach Joe Shawhan said this after the game. “It was an enjoyable and fun game between two good hockey teams,” Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. “The sold-out crowd was treated to a really good college hockey game.
“I really thought we were going to eventually win it after we tied it up, but I give Western a lot of credit. They’re a tremendous hockey team. I’m excited about our group and our second half opportunities as we continue to grow as a team.”
Scorers
