MTU Hockey Wins 6-5 over Vienna to Improve to 2-2 in Europe
St. Polten, Austria — Michigan Tech improved to 2-2 on its European Tour with a 6-5 victory over the Vienna Capitals tonight at the Klenk Dome. Mikael Lickteig’s goal at 7:48 of the third period stood up as the game winner as the Huskies overcame a 4-3 deficit entering the final frame.
Vienna scored the only goal of a quiet opening period on a well-designed power play.
Both teams lit up the scoreboard in the second period. The Huskies took advantage of Vienna’s penalty trouble early in the stanza with three power play goals in a five-minute span. Eric Kattelus pounded home the first two—both on a five-on-three advantage. Aaron Pietila put Tech ahead 4-1 with a five-on-four tally.
The Capitals answered with three straight goals of their own to garner a 4-3 edge heading into the second intermission.
In the third period, Deron Cousens knotted the score at 4-all just 3:32 in. Vienna would answer quickly to regain a 5-4 lead.
Milos Gordic kept the Huskies’ offense firing with a power play score at the 6:47 mark on assists from Brett Olson and Kattelus to tie the score. Lickteig’s game-winner came even strength just one minute later off passes from Olson and Eli Vlaisavljevich.
Special teams were in action all game as nine of the 11 goals scored (five of Tech’s and four of Vienna’s) came on the power play.
Several Huskies posted multi-point games: Kattelus (2G, 1A), Olson (3A), Gordic (1G, 1A) and Cousens (1G, 1A).
Josh Robinson stopped 31 of 36 shots he faced and gained the win in net. Capitals’ goalie Rudell Hommel made 24 saves in the loss.
Michigan Tech will wrap up its European play tomorrow with a game at Klagenfurt, Austria. It will be the Huskies fifth game in six days.