HOUGHTON, Mich. – Carson Birnie scored the deciding goal and No. 17 Minnesota State fell 3-1 at Michigan Tech in CCHA men's hockey Friday night at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. MTU goaltender Owen Bartoszkiewicz made 24 saves for the Huskies.
 
The Mavericks (12-7-5, 8-5-3 CCHA) will try to even up the series with the Huskies (15-8-2, 10-3-2 CCHA) Saturday at 5:07 p.m. CT.
 
Freshman Jordan Ronn scored his third goal of the season for the Mavericks at 6:02 of the first period. Ronn pulled a rebound across his body and backhanded in the even-strength goal. Freshman Reid Morich took the initial shot after a Husky turnover created an odd-man rush.
 
Max Koskipirtti evened the score 10:17 into the middle stanza for Michigan Tech. Reid Andreson, then Isaac Gordon connected passes for Koskipirtti's one-timer in transition. Both teams killed minor penalties in the second period the score stayed even at 1-1 with shots on goal favoring the Mavericks 18-15.
 
Continuous play was a hallmark of the third period. After both goaltenders made a series of challenging stops, Carson Birnie found the game-winning goal at 13:44 when he came out of the corner and wristed the puck short side for the Huskies. Luca Fasciano and Matthew Blaricom assisted.
 
With the net empty in the final minute of regulation, Jack Smith had a chance in front of the Husky goal, but MTU's defense kept the puck out. Then Carson Latimer sealed the win with 8.3 seconds on the clock.
 
Tracy finished with 26 saves for the Mavericks. Luigi Benincasa notched five shots on goal.