Photo Credit: Michigan Tech

DETROIT - Junior forward Jordan Baker scored one goal and one assist but Michigan Tech dropped a 5-3 decision to Michigan to finish fourth at the 45th Great Lakes Invitational at Joe Louis Arena Wednesday (Dec. 30). Michigan improves to 10-10-0 on the year and Tech falls to 3-16-0.

“Tonight we battled hard. We competed and worked hard,” said head coach Jamie Russell. “Michigan is a good team. We obviously play in a very good conference in the WCHA, but Michigan’s got good size, they play with pace, protect the puck well, good skill level, but I thought we went toe-to-toe with them with a roster that’s got eighteen freshmen and sophomores.”

Michigan took a 2-0 lead with power play goals at 15:22 of the first period and 2:50 of the second.

The Huskies capitalized on a five-on-three advantage for their first goal of the game. Junior Deron Cousens sent a pass to sophomore Brett Olson near the post. Olson tapped in the puck for his team-leading ninth goal of the season at 10:12 of the second period. Freshman Steven Seigo recorded his team-leading 11th assist of the season on the goal.

Junior Matt Rust extended the Wolverine lead to 3-1 heading into the second intermission after putting away a loose puck in front of the net at 17:18 of the second period. The goal was the third on the power play for UM.

Junior Eric Kattelus brought Tech back to with in one goal after he scored his first goal of the season at 3:08 off a wrist shot following a pass from senior forward Drew Dobson.

Wolverine freshman Lindsay Sparks netted his second goal of the season at 9:26 to extend the UM lead to 4-2.

Dobson recorded his second assist of the evening after skating down the slot before passing to junior forward Jordan Baker who sent a quick wrist shot past Michigan junior goalie Bryan Hogan.

The Huskies pulled sophomore goalie Josh Robinson with one minute remaining before giving up a short handed goal by senior forward Brian Lebler with 11 seconds remaining.

Hogan (10-9-0) finished with 20 saves for Michigan and Robinson (1-5-0) made 39 for Tech.

Michigan Tech will return to WCHA play with a two-game series at St. Cloud State Jan. 8-9.