Michigan Tech & Wisconsin play to 3-3 tie
Courtesy of MTU Athletics
MADISON, Wis. — Michigan Tech and Wisconsin played to a tie for the second straight night at the Kohl Center. The Badgers (2-7-5, 2-5-5 WCHA) held a 3-1 lead in the second period before the Huskies (4-8-3, 3-6-3 WCHA) scored twice to earn the 3-3 draw.
Kevin Genoe <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/genoe%20kevin00.html> made several key saves in the closing moments of regulation and overtime to preserve the tie. He posted 34 total saves in the contest while playing all 130 minutes in net.
“It was another good performance by our players,” said head coach Mel Pearson. “I thought Kevin was our first start tonight. He made some unbelievable saves for us at the end.
“This was another important point. Any time you can get points on the road, it’s big.”
Unlike last night’s game, the teams found the back of the net early tonight. UW’s Tyler Barnes cleaned up a loose puck in front of Kevin Genoe’s net at the 6:29 mark.
It took the Huskies just over a minute to answer. Daniel Holmberg <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/holmberg%20daniel00.html> skated in on a clean breakaway. The initial shot was saved by Joel Rumpel, but Malcolm Gould <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/gould%20malcolm00.html> came flying in to score his first career goal.
The Badgers broke up a 1-all tie at the 8:51 mark on another rebound goal. Brad Navin took the original shot. Genoe lost track of it as it slid to the back door where it was put in by Brendan Woods.
Wisconsin took a 3-1 advantage when Joseph Labate walked out from behind the net and took a shot from along the goal line. The puck bounced off Genoe and into the net at the 4:04 mark of the second frame.
The hosts seemed to control play for the next four minutes before Steven Seigo <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/seigo%20steven00.html> sniped a shot from the point into the upper left corner of the net. The senior’s fourth goal of the season came at the 8:39 mark and pulled the Huskies within 3-2.
Tech drew even at 3-3 as Blake Hietala <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/hietala%20blake00.html> batted a puck out of mid-air. C.J. Eick, who had beaten the Badgers’ defense, got in tight on Rumpel and put shot on net. It deflected into the air off Rumpel’s pad where Hietala knocked it in. The goal was reviewed by the officials and held up.
Wisconsin, searching for its first win at home this season, pressed hard to get it in the closing moments. Genoe came up huge. Tech also had opportunities for the game-winner.
Final shot totals were 37-25 in favor of UW, although Tech held a 12-10 advantage in the third period and overtime combined.
Neither team scored on two power plays piece.
Michigan Tech will return home for another WCHA series next weekend. The Huskies host North Dakota at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena Friday and Saturday (Dec. 14-15) at 7:07 p.m. both nights.
Notes: Tech is undefeated in its last four games with Wisconsin at 2-0-2, with all four contests going to overtime … Eight different players had one point in the contest.