Michigan Tech, Minnesota Duluth play to 4-4 tie

Courtesy of MTU Athletics

HOUGHTON, Mich. — Michigan Tech scored two goals in the final six minutes including one by Steven Seigo <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/seigo%20steven00.html> with 50 seconds remaining to salvage a 4-all tie vs. Minnesota Duluth tonight. The Huskies fought back from a pair of two-goal deficits to earn a point in the WCHA standings.

Tech overcame plenty of adversity in the contest including a errant whistle with 90 seconds to play that stalled an offensive possession with the extra attacker on the ice. Kevin Genoe <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/genoe%20kevin00.html> returned to his goal, but was able to get back off to set up the winning goal moments later.

On the tying goal, Alex Petan <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/petan%20alex00.html> won the faceoff cleanly to Seigo, who walked in from the blue line. The senior defenseman waited for an opening, then wristed a shot inside the left post to knot the game.

UMD was able to put five shots on net in the overtime, but Genoe kept the visitors off the board to earn the tie.

“It was a hard-fought game,” said head coach Mel Pearson. “We had to grind it out.

“There are good ties and not-so-good ties. This was a good tie for us because we were down two in the third period and came back.”

Like yesterday, UMD was able to get off to a good start with two first-period goals. Mike Seidel scored on the power play at the 13:46 mark, and Austin Farley had an even-strength tally two minutes later.

Tech pulled within one 6:49 into the second period as David Johnstone <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/johnstone%20david00.html> sniped a shot from the slot past Bulldog goaltender Aaron Crandall. The Huskies had 1:26 of 5-on-3 power play later in the frame, but went into the second intermission still trailing by a goal.

The teams combined for five goals in the third. Jujhar Khaira <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/khaira%20jujhar00.html> scored on the power play 4:43 into the period after Petan fed the puck out from behind the net.

It took Minnesota Duluth (4-7-3, 2-5-3 WCHA) less than seven minutes to regain its two-goal lead. Tony Cameranesi scored on a nice passing play on the man advantage at the 6:45 mark. Caleb Herbert then tipped a shot from the point over Genoe’s shoulder at 11:10.

Blake Pietila <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/pietila%20blake00.html> re-ignited the home crowd with a rebound goal at 13:58. The sophomore’s team-leading eighth goal of the season pulled the Black and Gold within 4-3.

Tech had several good chances for the equalizer down the stretch, but didn’t get it until it put the extra skater on the ice in the final minute.

“It would have been very easy to pack it in, but we didn’t,” said Pearson. “I give the players a lot of credit. It was a gut check for our team. This is going to be a valuable point when it comes down to the end of the season.”

UMD went 2-for-5 on the power play while the Huskies were 1-for-4. The Bulldogs also held a 37-26 advantage in shots on goal.

Crandall made 22 saves. Genoe stopped 33 shots in his fourth consecutive start.

Michigan Tech, now 4-7-1 overall and 3-6-1 in the WCHA, will have a quick turnaround for its next game, a Tuesday (Dec. 4) contest at arch rival Northern Michigan.

Notes: Tech is 6-1-5 under Coach Pearson in overtime games (2-0-1 this season) … Petan had his second three-point night in the last four games and leads the team in total points with 13 … The Huskies snapped a six-game home losing streak to Minnesota Duluth with the tie.