Michigan Wolverine Hockey: Michigan Tech — Preview
Posted at 6:00pm — 10/31/2014
Michigan Wolverine Hockey: Michigan Tech — Preview
Michigan Hockey Splits Out East, Makes Rare Appearance At Michigan Tech
What: #13 Michigan (2-3-0) @ Michigan Tech (4-0-0) John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena Fri/Sat October 31st/ November 1st 7:00 p.m.
TV/Radio: None / WTKA 1050 a.m. with Al Randall & Bill Trainor. www.mgoblue.com
The Maize and Blue hit the road last weekend for the East Coast, upending #8 U-Mass Lowell 8-4 before succumbing to two third period goals in a tough 3-2 loss to Boston University. In the Friday night tilt, Zach Hyman had a career night with a hat trick and two assists in the victory. Michigan broke open a tight battle in the third period with three unanswered goals. Steve Racine got the victory in goal. On Saturday night, the Wolverines had command of the first forty minutes and took a 2-1 lead into the locker room. BU answered with an early third period goal and then rallied late for the winner with just three and a half minutes left. All five goals were reviewed and Michigan had a third goal disallowed in what was deemed as a strangely officiated game.
Profiling The Huskies:
Michigan Tech has made a statement this season under head coach (and former Michigan assistant coach) Mel Pearson. His troops have stormed out to a 4-0-0 start by winning all four games on the road including a rare sweep at Ferris State- a team that lost one home game the entire season last year. The veteran squad is led offensively by their nine top scorers from last season including senior forward Blake Pietila (28 pts.) and junior forward Alex Petan (28 pts.) Both have chipped in with four points this season. The Huskies are also balanced defensively, losing only one starter from 2013-14. All-WCHA defender Shane Hanna (23 pts) anchors the blue line. Junior goaltender Jamie Phillips (4-0-0, 1.25 GAA, .954 save %) takes the reins between the pipes this season. The Huskies entertain Michigan in their home opener for the first time since November 11-12, 1983, prior to Red Berenson taking over the Michigan program.
-Mel Pearson spent 23 years as Red Berenson’s assistant coach and is a former Michigan Tech player, highlighted by a GWG against Michigan in the 1980 GLI tournament.
-Michigan is 122-91-4 all time versus the Huskies, but holds a 29-51-2 record in Houghton- mostly when both teams competed in the WCHA. Michigan is 22-3 vs. MTU under Red Berenson.
-Michigan Tech ranks third in games played against the Wolverines (218) with the series starting in 1927. Only MSU (294) and Minnesota (264) have challenged Michigan more often.
-The Wolverines swept the Huskies at Yost Arena last November. They will make a return appearance in 2016-17. Both teams will meet again December 28th at the annual GLI tournament.
-The Wolverines are being led offensively by sophomore Alex Kile (3-4-7), freshman Dylan Larkin (1-5-6) and senior Zach Hyman (3-4-7).
-Zach Nagelvoort gets the call on Friday in goal for Michigan.
-Michigan returns home next weekend for a pair of games against Atlantic Conference foe American International. It will be the first meeting between the programs.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Yostmeister
Go Blue — Wear Maize!