Rivalry game preview: Michigan Tech
Courtesy of MTU Athletics
*FULL DECEMBER SCHEDULE FOR TECH*
Michigan Tech is in the midst of a nine-day stretch with five games. The Huskies play a rare midweek game at arch rival Northern Michigan Tuesday (Dec. 4) before heading to Wisconsin for a two-game WCHA set Friday and Saturday (Dec. 7-8). Prior to last weekend’s (Nov. 30-Dec. 1) games vs. Minnesota Duluth, Tech had played just twice in 26 days.
*PETAN RANKS FOURTH NATIONALLY IN ROOKIE SCORING*
Freshman Alex Petan <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/petan%20alex00.html> posted his second career three-point game with three assists in Saturday’s (Dec. 1) 4-4 tie with UMD. The right wing had assists on all three Michigan Tech goals in the third period. Petan leads the team in points with four goals and nine assists in 12 games this season. He ranks fourth nationally among rookies in points per game (1.08).
*STRONG OVERTIME RECORD CONTINUES*
Michigan Tech moved its record in overtime games under head coach Mel Pearson to 6-1-5 with the tie last Saturday (Dec. 1). The Huskies were 4-1-4 a year ago in the extra session and have a 2-0-1 mark so far in 2012-13.
*THE SERIES*
Michigan Tech owns a 48-64-13 all-time record against its arch rival, Northern Michigan, since the series began in 1979. The Wildcats own a 36-18-5 home record against the Huskies including a 4-1 victory last year (Dec. 16) as part of a season sweep. Tech’s last win in the series was Oct. 8, 2010—a 4-3 overtime win in Houghton. The Huskies’ last win in Marquette was a 1-0 shutout on Dec. 20, 2008.
*STREAKING SEIGO*
Steven Seigo <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/seigo%20steven00.html> scored his third goal in the last four games with an important tally last Saturday (Dec. 1). With the Huskies utilizing the extra attacker under a minute to play, the senior defenseman walked in from the blue line and wristed a shot inside the left post to knot the score at 4-all. Seigo, who is currently on a five-game point streak, has six points in the last five games compared to one in the first seven games of the year. Seigo has played in a team-high 125 career games with 16-49=65 to his credit.
*PIETILA PACES HUSKIES WITH EIGHT GOALS*
Blake Pietila <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/pietila%20blake00.html> scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season in the third period of Saturday’s (Dec. 1) tie with UMD. The sophomore put home a rebound of an Alex Petan shot. Pietila ranks third in the WCHA and 11th nationally in goals per game (.67).
*HIETALA LIGHTS LAMP FOR FIRST TIME*
Sophomore Blake Hietala <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/hietala%20blake00.html> scored his first collegiate goal in last Friday’s (Nov. 30) contest. The right wing fired home a loose puck in the slot in the second period to pull the Huskies within 4-2. Hietala now has 1-0=1 in five career games.
*DJ DIALED IN*
Sophomore David Johnstone <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/johnstone%20david00.html>, who had just one goal in the first 10 games of the year, found his scoring touch against the Bulldogs. The left wing tallied a third period goal last Friday (Nov. 30) and a second period marker Saturday (Dec. 1), pulling the Huskies within one on both occasions. Johnstone has turned in three goals and five assists during a current five-game point streak. His 11 total points (3-8=11) are the second most on the team.
*GENOE’S RECORD STANDS AT 3-1-1*
Goaltender Kevin Genoe <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/genoe%20kevin00.html> earned the tie in net last Saturday (Dec. 1) to move his season record to 3-1-1. He ranks 12th nationally with a winning percentage of .700. Genoe has started four straight games for the Huskies. The senior owns a goals against average of 3.21 and save percentage of .897 this season.
*FURNE AT 50*
Ryan Furne <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/furne%20ryan00.html> recorded two assists in last Saturday’s (Dec. 1) tie with UMD to run his career point total to 50. The junior has 25 goals and 25 assists in 88 career games.
*HUSKIES BITES*
Michigan Tech is 4-1-0 when scoring the first goal of the game and 0-6-1 when its opponent scores first … Michigan Tech’s top five point-getters are all freshmen and sophomores.