Michigan Tech Hockey Swept by Colorado College

Courtesy of MTU Athletics

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Michigan Tech put 34 shots on goal but Colorado College goaltender Josh Thorimbert did not allow one by him in a 2-0 decision tonight at World Arena. The Huskies (14-18-4 overall and 11-13-4 WCHA) and Tigers (18-14-2, 15-12-1) wrapped up their regular seasons and will play each other again in a WCHA first-round playoff series next weekend.

“Thorimbert played well tonight,” said head coach Mel Pearson. “I give our kids credit. If we play like that, we’re going to win most hockey games.”

Tech dominated play in the opening period but couldn’t solve Thorimbert. The CC netminder made 15 saves including a couple of brilliant kick saves to keep the Huskies off the board. Tech also had two power plays in the frame including a full two minutes of 5-on-3 advantage.

The Tigers didn’t get a shot on net through the first six minutes of the second period, but turned things around when the Huskies were whistled for back-to-back penalties. CC converted the 5-on-3 advantage with a shot by Gabe Guentzel from high between the circles on which goaltender Kevin Genoe was screened.

CC added a second goal in the final minute of the second period as Jaden Schwartz stole a puck at center ice and skated in alone on Genoe. He buried a backhand shot for his third of the weekend.

Tech came out gunning in the third period. Blake Pietila rang the post two minutes into the frame, but that would be as close as the Huskies would get to scoring. The shutout was just the second suffered by Tech all season.

Genoe finished with 20 saves on 22 shots including a couple big stops on CC breakaways. Tech was 0-for-3 on the power play tonight and scoreless on six chances on the weekend. The Tigers went 1-for-3 on the man advantage.

“We had complete control of this game until the penalties in the second,” said Pearson. “Kevin played well enough for us to win.

“We’ll stay the week here and be ready to go next weekend.”

Michigan Tech and Colorado College will play a best-of-three game series in the opening round of the WCHA playoffs next weekend at World Arena. Faceoff is 9:37 p.m. ET/7:37 p.m. MT on Friday (Mar. 9) to open the series.

Posted by Jerry Taylor