COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Michigan Tech battled with No. 3-ranked Colorado College for all 60 minutes, but it was the host Tigers who came away with a 4-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association victory tonight at World Arena. The Huskies (1-4 overall, 0-2 WCHA) came within a goal in the closing minute before CC scored an empty net marker.
CC jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the opening period, but the Huskies answered early in the second as Jordan Baker tallied his third goal of the season. Alex MacLeod and Bennett Royer drew assists on the play.
The game remained tied until the Tigers scored less than three minutes into the third frame. Minutes later, Tech killed off a 5-on-3 CC power play.
The hosts scored the eventual game-winning goal on the power play at the 10:03 mark.
Tech made things interesting late in the game by pulling goaltender Rob Nolan with 2:31 showing on the clock. Brett Olson found the back of the net with the extra attacker, but only 21 seconds remained in the hockey game. The goal was Olson’s first as a Husky, and Geoff Kinrade and Malcolm Gwilliam picked up assists.
Colorado College added an empty net goal with two seconds left for the final margin of 4-2.
“We made some nice plays offensively and created some scoring chances,” said head coach Jamie Russell. “We played with determination all night, and I thought it was a pretty solid effort. We’re still missing some guys from our lineup with injury, so it’ll be important for us to get them back for our next series.”
Nolan (32 saves) and Bachman (33 saves) were both impressive in net for their respective teams.
Tech was 0-for-7 on the man advantage, while CC was 2-for-8.
Michigan Tech (1-4 overall and 0-2 in the WCHA) will return home for its next three contests—an exhibition game vs. the U.S. National Development Team Friday (Oct. 24) and a two-game series vs. Alaska Anchorage the following weekend
Photo Credit: Michigan Tech
