Friday, March 7, 2003

MICHIGAN TECH SPOILS MINNESOTA DULUTH'S PARTY, 6-3; MURPHY HAS HAT TRICK

DULUTH, Minn. -- Michigan Tech got outstanding goaltending from
junior Cam Ellsworth and used a four-goal third period enroute to a
6-3 Western Collegiate Hockey Association victory Minnesota Duluth
Friday night at the DECC in Duluth, Minn.

Michigan Tech had a 1-0 advantage after the opening period as Colin
Murphy put one into an open net to the left of the goal with Bulldog
netminder Isaac Reichmuth down and out. Freshman Chris Conner and
junior Justin Brown drew assists on the play. The Bulldogs had two
unsuccessful breakaways, with Ellsworth foiling Junion Lessard's bid
at 11:49 and Tim Stapleton shot over the net on a shorthanded break
with 4:00 left in the period. UMD's T.J. Caig also hit the post late
in the period.

Tech forged to a 2-0 advantage just :34 into the second period as
senior Chris Durno's shot hit a Bulldog skate out in front, deflected
high in the air, and over the shoulder of Reichmuth. UMD, however,
got a power play goal from Tim Stapleton and Junior Lessard scored
off the rebound at 18:58 to even the game after 40 minutes.

The Huskies, however, dominated the third period. MTU took the lead
for good at 3:56 of the third as John Hartman scored from side of the
net past a helpless Reichmuth. Greg Amadio and Chris Durno drew
assists. It was 4-2 for the Huskies at 10:03 as hard-working Jon
Pittis centered the puck from behind the net to rookie Brandon
Schwartz. Schwartz turned and put the puck top shelf for his sixth
goal of the season. Murphy got his second goal of the game off his
own rebound at 11:15 and then completed the hat trick at 17:03 with
Chris Conner and and Frank Werner drawing assists. UMD scored a
meaningless goal with :40 left to account for the final score.

Ellsworth had an outstanding night with 45 saves, while Reichmuth
stopped 31 Tech shots.

The two teams finish regular season play tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. (CST)
at the DECC.

NOTES: Michigan Tech will be on the road for the first round of the
WCHA playoffs. The Huskies will play at either MSU-Mankato or
Minnesota . . Colin Murphy recorded his first career hat trick . . .
Tech's win ended a six-game losing streak.