Jan. 5, 2008

Stats

Erie, Pa. - No. 20 Michigan Tech used a back-breaking short-handed goal late in the second period to propel the Huskies to a 5-1 non-conference victory over Mercyhurst Saturday night at the MIC. Mercyhurst dropped to 5-13-2, while MTU evened its record to 9-9-2.

Similar to last night, Michigan Tech scored first, 10 minutes into the opening period on a goal by Tyler Shelast. The Lakers' Ben Cottreau expanded his scoring streak to five games as he tied the contest at one with under two minutes left, assisted by Brett Robinson and Jesse Echternach.

That was all Husky netminder Rob Nolan would allow as Michigan Tech scored four unanswered goals - two in the second and third periods - to put the game away. The aforementioned short-handed tally by Peter Rouleau came on a breakaway with just 14 seconds left in the second period to give MTU a 3-1 advantage.

Michigan Tech now leads the all-time series, 3-1. The Huskies outshot the Lakers 29-23. Nolan, the game's third star, stopped 22 for the win while junior Matt Lundin stopped 24 in the losing effort.

MTU was 2-for-7 on the power play while Mercyhurst was 0-for-5, including a key moment where the Lakers had a five minute power play and were unable to score with the game tied at one. Minutes later, Tech scored on its own power play to make it 2-1.

Mercyhurst has nothing but conference games left as the Lakers welcome Army to the Ice Center Friday and Saturday, Jan. 11-12, at 7:05 p.m. both nights. Army is currently in fourth place in the Atlantic Hockey standings with 14 points, while Mercyhurst is in sixth place, two points behind the Black Knights. The Lakers are only seven points behind first-place Air Force (19).