Saturday, March 8, 2003

REVERSAL OF FORTUNTES: MINNESOTA DULUTH BEATS MICHIGAN TECH, 6 -3

DULUTH, Minn. -- While the game was not the exact opposite of
Friday's night's 6-3 MTU victory, it was close. Minnesota Duluth used
three third-period goals to turn a tight game into a 5-2 lead and the
Bulldogs went on to a 6-3 Western Collegiate Hockey Association
victory over Michigan Tech Saturday night at the DECC.

It was a 1-1 deadlock after the opening period. Like Friday night,
the Huskies got on the board first, as Jon Pittis converted a
three-on-one break by puttin one over the glove hand of Bulldog
netminder Rob Anderson.

UMD scored goals 1:22 apart midway through the second period and
looked to be in control of the game. Sophomore Colin Murphy, however,
put one home from the slot for his 19th goal of the year at 18:33 to
make it just a one-goal deficit headed into the third. Brandon
Schwartz assisted on the four-on-four effort.

It was all UMD in the third period. Nick Anderson converted from the
slot at 5:53 to to make it 4-2. Just 1:43 later, Tech netminder Cam
Ellsworth attempted to cover the puck but did not and Evan Schwabe
put it into an empty net. Then at 10:24, Marco Peluso scored off the
rebound of a Beau Geisler shot to make it 6-2. Tech, like UMD did on
Friday, got a late goal in the third to account for the 6-3 final as
Bryan Perez tipped in Brett Engelhardt's shot from the point on the
power play at 18:01.

Ellsworth finished with 38 saves, while Anderson had 27 for UMD.

Tech will play at Minnesota-Twin Cities in the first round of the
WCHA playoff Friday-Sunday (March 14-16) at the Mariucci Arena in
Minneapolis.

NOTES: Murphy had four goals on the weekend and his 19 goals are the
most since Brent Peterson had 20 goals in 1994-95 . . . Sophomore
Bryan Perez played defense in both games vs. UMD, his first
collegiate appearance on the blueline. He had a goal and an assist in
tonight's game . . . Freshman Brandon Schwartz had an assist and now
has 4-4--8 in the last six games . . . Sophomore defenseman Clay
Wilson had his five-game point streak ended.
--
Dave Fischer
Assistant Athletic Director/Marketing & Communications
Michigan Tech University
1400 Townsend Drive
SDC, Room 233
Houghton, MI  49931-1295
([log in to unmask] -- 906-487-2350)
Michigan Tech Huskies on the Web: http://www.michigantechhuskies.com
MTU Sports Hotline: (906) 487-2606