Michigan Tech defenseman Brett Thorne fires a shot during a game against Bowling Green State Saturday at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)
HOUGHTON — Going into Winter Carnival weekend, the No. 12 Michigan Tech Huskies hockey team was looking for a sweep of the Bowling Green State Falcons in the hopes of clinching a home playoff spot and also put pressure on the No. 13 Minnesota State Mavericks this weekend as they travel to face the Bemidji State Beavers.
The Huskies accomplished part of those goals. They split with the Falcons, which did put them into the top spot in the CCHA standings at 14-6-4, good for 47 points, two more than the Mavericks, who were idle last weekend. Michigan Tech did secure a home playoff spot in the CCHA Tournament as well.
However, according to coach Joe Shawhan, nerves got the better of the Huskies on Friday night against the Falcons, leading to a 5-2 loss and an end to goaltender Blake Pietila’s string of four straight shutouts on Friday nights.
“On Friday, I think our guys had some nerves, and I think with Bowling Green scoring first, and then being able to expand it a little bit, I think that there was nervous energy that, I think, took away some of our focus,” he said. “The guys wanted to do very well. They wanted to play well. They knew everything that was on the line, Winter Carnival weekend, senior weekend, standings, pairwise, they knew everything on the line in a full house. Everything was sold out early, parents coming, a lot of things to take in and be able to manage.”
Saturday, the Huskies made sure that the momentary blip in their focus remained just momentary, as they stormed back to win 4-2.
“I think that on Saturday, the guys were able to refocus a little bit more,” said Shawhan. “Hopefully (we) learn a lesson from that, because from here on out, every game has ramifications. The importance of games goes up.”
Shawhan was pleased that the team took it upon themselves to find a way to have success Saturday, especially for the 10 seniors in the lineup.
“I thought they all did a tremendous job,” he said. “I feel very good for the seniors to have won on Senior Night. That’s something you never forget. I know I didn’t forget it as a player, and it’s something that you never forget.”
Two seniors really stand out Saturday
Winger Tristan Ashbrook and defenseman Brett Thorne chipped in in a big way on the weekend. Ashbrook scored the game-winning goal on Saturday night, and Thorne racked up three assists on the weekend, earning CCHA Defenseman of the Week honors for his efforts.
Shawhan is proud of all the work Ashbrook has put in to get to this point in his season.
“Tristan has had a really good second half, Christmas on,” said Shawhan. “He’s had a really good second half.
“It’s been really fun to watch him in the second half of this year.”
Thorne, who is graduating early, has proven to be a real leader on the ice as well as in the classroom.
“Thorne, he’s really come on late as well,” said Shawhan. “I think Thorny had a pretty good first half, but now he’s having a better second half for us.”
Thorne has been counted on to anchor a blue line corps that has been ravaged by injuries all season, yet still sports the second-best goals against per game at 2.06 in the country. Thorne has played over 30 minutes a night when called upon, and has made timely passes when the team needs a boost to create a scoring chance.
Jed Pietila remains steadfast
Junior defenseman Jed Pietila, another converted forward from his days in youth hockey, has quietly grown by leaps and bounds this season. He did not play during his first two seasons in Black and Gold due the depth on the back end the Huskies had. This season, however, he was in the lineup from the beginning of the season, and has racked up 11 assists and 12 points in 29 games this season. He is also a +11, which is tied for third on the team.
“He’s emblematic of our whole defensive team,” Shawhan said. “I mean, we’re second the nation in goals against with Jed emerging, and with Jake Crespi going on defense, emerging, and with the ice time we got out of Topi (Heiskanen), playing so many games without (Chris) Lipe and games without Thorne, games with (Ryan) O’Connell. The (defensive) crew, we played (Alex Nordstrom) on (defense). So many guys have stepped up to be important to us and have emerged and grown.
“Our team doesn’t go anywhere without our ability to defend. Jed is a perfect example of that, because he’s done it both ways. He’s defended hard, blocked shots, and so he’s done a good job. (I’m) very proud of him.”
Kukkonen scores four to win MVP
Both nights of Winter Carnival, freshman winger Kyle Kukkonen scored two goals, earning the Most Valuable Player honors for his efforts. With the four goals, he jumped into the team lead with 14, and became the second skater to break the 20-point barrier, as he now has 22 on the season in 33 games.
Shawhan likens Kukkonen to his linemate, co-captain Logan Pietila, who also has a penchant for scoring big goals in big games.
“It’s big because that shows a lot about an individual,” said Shawhan. “Logan Pietila has done that from his freshman year, a big hat trick game against Michigan in the championship of the GLI his freshman year.
“You look for those players that have the ability to do that at the right times. It was nice to see him do that. I think it lifts a little weight off of him, because, I think, he puts pressure on himself to be a high-end player.”
Scoreboard watching
The Huskies will be keeping an eye this weekend on the Mavericks’ series with the Beavers. At worst, Michigan Tech will travel to Mankato, Minnesota, next weekend trailing by four points in the race for the top seed in the CCHA Tournament and a chance to host Lake Superior State, most likely, in the first round.
