HOUGHTON, Mich. – Fifth-year goaltender Blake Pietila stopped 31 shots and the Michigan Tech Huskies blocked 20 more attempts to hold on 3-1 against Minnesota State Friday night at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.
 
The Mavericks converted one of six power play opportunities and fell to 14-11-4 on the year, 10-7-2 in the CCHA.
 
The Huskies moved up to third in the conference standings with a record of 12-12-6, 9-8-2 CCHA. Michigan Tech and Minnesota State meet for the season series finale Saturday at 4 p.m. CT faceoff.
 
The Huskies struck for a 1-0 lead just 1:06 into the first period. Max Koskipirtti carried the puck to the top of the right circle and passed it across to Ryland Mosley, whose one-timer became his 14^th goal of the year.
 
The Mavericks strung together a pair of strong shifts nearing the 15-minute mark, culminating in a chance in the slot by Sam Morton that was denied by the knob of goaltender Blake Pietila's stick. MSU took an 11-9 shot advantage into intermission.
 
Kaden Bohlsen used the Mavericks' first second period power play to tie the game at 12:19. Bohlsen pulled the puck to his body from the right dot and wristed a shot through a kneeling defender inside the far post. It was Bohlsen's ninth tally of the season. Brett Moravec (4) and Evan Murr (16) assisted.
 
It took under two minutes for Logan Pietila to answer for Michigan Tech. Nick Williams swung a pass to Pietila, who tapped it into a mostly empty net on the back door and a 2-1 Tech lead. Jack Works collected the second assist.
 
The Mavericks dominated the final minute but came up empty against a pair of strong Pietila saves.
 
Early in the third, the Mavericks spent nearly a full minute with possession on a delayed minor penalty, but failed to score on the ensuing man-advantage. Maverick goaltender Alex Tracy kicked out his right pad to deny Isaac Gordon on a breakaway just past the midway point.
 
Tyrone Bronte went to the penalty box for slashing, giving the Mavericks their sixth power play opportunity at the 16:21 mark. Will Hillman tipped a pass at the far post but Pietila slid across to glove it down.
 
Minnesota State pulled netminder Tracy with under two minutes to play and Adam Eisele fanned on a chance with Blake Pietila falling over backward. Then Jed Pietila banked a clearing attempt that trickled into the empty net with 9.2 seconds remaining.

"We lost during winning moments," said head coach Luke Strand. "Races, net fronts, second efforts, power plays. Tech played to their identity and we didn't in the critical spots. We need to finish our opportunities in game two tomorrow night."
 
Tracy stopped 19 shots for MSU and the Mavericks won 25 of 51 faceoffs. Michigan Tech finished 0-1 on the power play. With a pair of wins in Mankato in November, the Huskies have a chance to sweep the season series on Saturday.