MANKATO, Minn. – It took nearly 44 minutes before either team got on the scoreboard but #11 Michigan Tech struck first, added an empty-net goal, and rode a 35-save shutout effort by Blake Pietila for a 2-0 win over #12 Minnesota State.
 
With the three-point win, the Huskies lead the Mavericks, 50-49, in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association standings, setting up Saturday's showdown for the MacNaughton Cup, emblematic of the league's regular-season champion.
 
Michigan Tech only needs to take the game into overtime Saturday to secure a share of the CCHA title and the number one seed in the conference playoffs, which begin next week.
 
The Huskies got on the scoreboard three minutes, 43 seconds into the final period, when Kyle Kukkonen scored on a rebound to give his team a 1-0 lead.
 
With 1:34 remaining in the game, Logan Pietila sealed the victory when he scored an empty net goal.
 
Meanwhile, Blake Pietila stopped 27 shots over the final two periods, recording his nation-best ninth shutout, as MSU held a 35-25 advantage in shots on goal, and outshot the Huskies, 78-52, in total shot attempts.
 
Senior Ryan Sandelin led the way for the Mavericks with 11 shot attempts and seven shots on goal. Junior Ondrej Pavel also had 11 shot attempts and five shots on goal.  Junior backstop Keenan Rancier stopped 23 of the 24 shots he faced on the night.
 
The leading faceoff team in the country, MSU held a 37-20 advantage in the circle, with junior David Silye winning 18 of his 20 draws.
 
The two teams meet to determine the CCHA title Saturday at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Event Center. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 6:07 p.m.