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Houghton, Mich – After just one goal in Game 1 between No. 11 Michigan Tech and St. Thomas, the teams combined for nine goals in Game 2, and the Huskies advanced to the CCAA semifinals with a 5-4 victory on Saturday. Tech improved to 24-9-4 and will host Northern Michigan on Saturday, March 11 at the John McInnes Student Ice Arena.
Tristan Ashbrook and Kyle Kukonen each scored twice and Jack Worce also found the back of the net. Blake Pattila made 30 saves and tied the school record for a Michigan Tech goaltender with 58 wins.
Coach Joe Shawhan recorded his 119th career win and is now tied for second in program history behind only John McInnes.
“We need wins to put ourselves in good stead for the nationals and we will continue our bid this weekend,” Shawhan said. “Goofy things happen in the elimination games. It was tough to get the win, it was a battle because they didn’t pass.”
After being down 1-0 in the first half, the Huskies reeled off four straight runs to take the lead. Tristan Ashbrook roared through the five-hole with a long shot 9:36 into the first. Evan Orr and Chris Lippe assisted.
Jack Worce deflected a shot by Jade Pietila to give Tech the lead 17:32 into the second. Ashbrook also assisted on Works’ eighth goal of the season.
Tristan Ashbrook’s shot by Parker Saretsky made it 3-1 with just 19 seconds left in the 10th period. Ryan O’Connell added his second assist in his 150th collegiate game.
“I was hoping to contribute more offensively late in the season, but the bottom line is the team is clicking together now and I’m seeing the benefits of that,” Ashbrook said.
Kyle Kukonen extended his hitting streak to six games late in the second. Jed Pietila picked up his second point of the night, setting up Logan Pietila on the one-timer.
“I wasn’t sure what Logan was going to do, so I just went to the net. He made a good game for me,” Cuccone said.
St. Thomas (11-23-2) scored on the power play with 41.5 seconds left. Luke Leylin deflected the ball past the Huskies in front and headed to Cameron Cameron.
Kyle Kukonen scored his eighth goal in his last six games, beating former Michigan Tech defenseman Grant Doctor 7:49 into the third. It was Kukkonen’s 18th goal of the season. He is tied for fourth among all starters in scoring to lead the CCHA. Jade Pietilla and Jake Crespi assisted.
The Tommies scored twice to make the game a one-goal game. Matthew Jennings scored from Quinton Pepper at 9:22 of the third.
Mack Byers made it 5-4 with a 6-for-4 extra attacker and power play with 1:09 left.
UST pulled the goalie again, but the Huskies blocked a pair of shots to clinch the victory.
Jake Crespi scored 1:26 into the game, but was knocked down after a challenge from a coach who had been successful for a major penalty earlier in the game.
McBair scored the first goal of the game after a Tech defense shot 8:25 into the game.
Shots tied at 34. Tech was 3-for-5 on the penalty kill and 0-for-3 on the power play.
Tickets for Saturday’s CCHA semifinals go on sale Monday at 8 p.m.
Ferris State will play No. 13 Minnesota State in the other CCHA Mason Cup Semifinal.
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