Houghton, Mich. --- Minnesota State fell short at Michigan Tech, 5-1, in the first game of a Western Collegiate Hockey Association best-of-three semifinal playoff series at John MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton, Mich., Friday night.

Both teams traded shots during the early moments in an even-paced opening 15 minutes of action before the Huskies struck for the game's first goal at the 14:55 mark as defenseman Mark Auk walked in from the blue line and put a shot in the top right shot to the corner of the net. The Mavericks retaliated a couple of minutes later to even the score, 1-1, when Clint Lewis directed the puck toward the net where it bounced of of freshman forward Charlie Gerard past Angus Redmond at the 17:31 mark. The goal is the third goal of the season for Gerard.  Michigan Tech held the slight edge in shots after one period of play, 9-8.

The game opened up following a scoreless second stanza when Tech winger Reid Sturos steamed down the right side and faked a shot before beating Jason Pawloski at the 3:31 mark. Three minutes later Michigan Tech stretched their lead to 3-1, at the 13:05 mark as Jake Jackson connected on a shot in front of Pawloski on a rebound just outside of the crease. Gavin Gould added the Huskie's fourth goal after collecting loose puck at the blue line and finding the back of the net, 4-1, at the 10:07 mark.  Michigan Tech added a shorthanded empty net goal at the 15:20 mark with the game's final goal making it 5-1.

Michigan Tech held the edge in shots on goal, 27-23, while Minnesota State held the advantage in faceoffs, 30-23. Additionally, the Mavericks totaled 12 blocked shots and both teams went 0-for-3 on the power play.

Pawloski, who was making his fourth straight start, stopped 22 shots in the game and now stands 7-4-2 on the year.

Following the loss, the Mavericks are 21-12-4 overall on the season. The two teams return to action at John MacInnes Student Ice Arena on Saturday with face-off for game two of the series scheduled for 6:07 p.m. CST start.


Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the game.

 

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