Friday, January 17, 2003

TECH OVERCOMES 3-1 DEFICIT TO EARN TIE WITH #2 COLORADO COLLEGE

HOUGHTON, Mich. -- Michigan Tech rallied from a 3-1 deficit after two
periods to gain a 3-3 overtime tie with second-ranked and Western
Collegiate Hockey Association-leading Colorado College Friday night
at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

"I'm proud of our kids," said Tech coach Mike Sertich. "We fought
through some adversity, particularly in the second period. And our
upperclassmen really came up big tonight. It was nice to see."

Sophomore netminder Cam Ellsworth was a big factor in the tie for the
Huskies, particularly the final two periods and overtime session,
where he stopped 31 of 32 shots, including six on the overtime.

While the Huskies scored the first goal of the game -- thanks to
senior forward Chris Durno -- it was the Tigers that had a 2-1
advantage after 20 minutes.

CC spent 9:12 on the poewr in the second period, including two 5-on-3
advantages, but only came away with one goal. It was 3-1 Tigers after
two.

Tech got back to within a goal at 6:56 of the third as Frank Werner
banged one in from out in front. The Huskies pulled Ellsworth with
puck in the CC end and 1:27 left. Solid pressure by the Huskies
forced a Colin Stuart holding penalty for hauling down Colin Murphy
at 19:08. It took the Huskies just :10 to even the game as Jon Pittis
put home Clay Wilson's rebound at 19:18.

The Tigers carried by the play in overtime, but Ellsworth stopped all
six CC shots as Tech earned a big point in the WCHA standings.

The teams finish the WCHA series Saturday at 7:05 p.m. in Houghton.

NOTES: Sophomore defenseman Clay Wilson extended his career-best
point streak to six games with an assist on the game-tying goal . . .
Junior defenseman Justin Brown had two assists in the contest . . .
Tech held CC's power play to just one goal in six chances. The Tigers
had two lengthy five-on-three advantages . . . Tech's Bryan Perez was
handed a five-minute major for checking-from-behind as he and CC's
Peter Sejna merely collided at the side of the net. Perez is eligible
to play in Saturday's game . . . Freshman defenseman John Scott
separated his shoulder in the game and is likely out for two or three
weeks . . . Senior forward Chris Durno had a goal and an assist.