Saturday, February 1, 2003

MICHIGAN TECH DROPS 4-2 DECISION TO #12 ST. CLOUD STATE

HOUGHTON, Mich. -- St. Cloud State used a three-goal second period on
the way to a 4-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association victory over
Michigan Tech Saturday night at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

It was a 1-1 standoff after the opening period. The 12th-ranked
visitors got on the board first as Matt Gens put one home from right
out in front. Sophomore Colin Murphy evened the game at 16:49 as he
took a long up ice pass from Jon Pittis, broke in alone, and tucked
one in past Jake Moreland.

St. Cloud State outshot Tech 23-5 in the second period and scored at
1:53, 4:42, and 7:43 to dash out to a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes. Two
of the three SCSU markers came on the power play. The Huskies nearly
scored in the final 10 seconds of the second stanza, but Chris Durno
failed to get a shot away on a breakaway.

Tech played a much better third period, Junior Frank Werner tallied
on the power play at 13:25 to get the Huskies back to within a pair.
The Huskies had two power play opportunities in the final 4:07, but
despite some chances, could get no closer.

Cam Ellsworth was busy in the MTU net and finished with 52 saves.
SCSU's Moreland had 29 stops to pick up the win.

Tech heads to Grand Forks, North Dakota, next weekend (Feb. 7-8) to
battle the North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

NOTES: Sophomore Colin Murphy took over the team point lead with his
goal. He entered the night tied with freshman Chris Conner. Conner
did not gain a point in the game . . . Michigan Tech was 1-for-10 on
the power play in the game, while St. Cloud State was 2-for-8 . . .
Junior forward Jon Pittis had two assists.