Friday, January 24, 2003

DURNO LEADS MICHIGAN TECH TO 4-2 WIN OVER ALASKA ANCHORAGE

HOUGHTON, Mich. -- Senior Chris Durno had a goal and two assists to
lead Michigan Tech to a 4-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association
victory over Alaska Anchorage Friday night at the MacInnes Student
Ice Arena.

Tech led 1-0 after the opening period as Colin Murphy took a pass
from Chris Conner and backhanded it up high over Chris King from just
in front of the crease at 17:43.

The visitors tied the game at 2:34 of the second, but Tech scored
three goals in the first 9:04 of the third period to take control.
Junior Frank Werner put MTU ahead for good at 2:50 as his shot from
near the corner just above the goalline somehow found the back of the
net. It was Werner's sixth goal of the season and marked his third
straight game with a point. Durno made it 3-1 at 7:45 as he scored
off his own rebound from point blank range. Brad Sullivan drew the
only assist on the play. The Huskies scored again just 1:49 later as
Justin Brown fired one in from the point through traffic. Durno and
senior Greg Amadio picked up helpers on the play. The Seawolves' John
Hopson put home the game's final goal just :21 after Brown's tally.

Cam Ellsworth picked up the win with 34 saves, while King had 40 stops for UAA.

"Our grind line won the game for us," said Tech Head Coach Mike
Sertich in reference to the Amadio-Durno-Werner combination. "I'm
happy for those kids. They work mighty hard."

The two teams finish the series Saturday (Jan. 25) at 7:05 p.m. in
the MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

NOTES: Tech's win over UAA was its first WCHA victory at home this
season (1-3-3) . . . Durno extended his point streak to five games
with a goal and two assists. He was named Superior Player of the Game
. . . The Huskies played without Jon Pittis and John Scott, both who
were out because of shoulder injuries . . . Freshman Brandon Schwartz
returned to the lineup after recovering from a knee injury which has
kept him sidelined since Dec. 14.