Tech Hockey wins in OT vs. Mavericks
Courtesy of MTU Athletics
OMAHA, Neb. — Senior Mikael Lickteig scored 2:56 into overtime to lift Michigan Tech to a 2-1 victory over No. 14 Nebraska-Omaha tonight at CenturyLink Center. The right winger’s first goal of the season and second career goal gave the Huskies the series split.
“Good for Mikael,” said head coach Mel Pearson. “We see his ability in practice and it’s great for him to come out and do it in a game.
“I’m so proud of the team. We talked about going for the win in overtime, and I’m happy we were able to get that result.”
The teams skated through a scoreless first period. UNO held a 12-4 advantage in shots on goal, but the play was much more even. Tech had several good scoring chances.
It took just 78 seconds for the Huskies to get on the board in the second. David Johnstone collected the puck at his defensive blue line and skated in on a 2-on-1 with Alex Petan. The defenseman stayed with Petan, allowing Johnstone a clear shot, which he buried in the upper corner on the short side for his eighth of the season.
Tech had an extended power play following a major penalty to UNO’s Alex Simonson for contact to the head on Carl Nielsen. Nearly four minutes into the man advantage, Justin Fillion was called for hooking trying to stop a Mavericks shorthanded chance. That gave the hosts a power play. Neither team scored with the advantage.
UNO (16-10-2, 12-6-2 WCHA) knotted the game up on a breakaway play from Josh Archibald at the 17:34 mark of the frame.
The team skated into the third period tied at 1. The Mavericks, who had 37 seconds of power play to start the period, rang the post in the opening moments. Blake Pietila was stopped on a breakaway seconds later. The teams continued a great back-and-forth period, but the score remained 1-all heading to overtime.
Tech held a territorial advantage in the extra session and got the game winner as Lickteig skated down the left wing and fired a rocket past John Faulkner from atop the left circle.
Neither team scored a power-play goal in the contest. Tech was 0-for-3 and UNO was 0-for-1. The Mavericks held a 37-28 advantage in shots on goal.
Pheonix Copley made 36 saves on 37 UNO shots on goal. Faulkner finished with 26 saves.
Michigan Tech improved to 8-13-4 overall and 5-11-4 in WCHA play. The Huskies will return home for their next three games beginning with a Winter Carnival series against Alaska Anchorage next weekend (Feb. 8-9).