HOUGHTON, Mich. – The No. 20 Michigan Tech Huskies completed a weekend sweep of No. 16 Augustana Vikings with a 4-3 victory Saturday night, securing the MacInnes Trophy and their 20th win of the season.
Jack Anderson was named Winter Carnival MVP after scoring the game-winning goal with 10:33 remaining in the third period, marking his second goal of the weekend. The victory solidifies Michigan Tech’s position in the CCHA standings, placing them second with a 15-5-2 conference record, just two points behind No. 15 St. Thomas with four regular-season games remaining.
“It was another good game against a quality opponent,” said Tech coach Bill Muckalt. “They were very opportunistic on their goals, but we did a really good job getting traffic in front of their goaltender on our chances tonight. These points are huge. We just have to keep taking care of business with four games left.”
Muckalt praised Anderson’s performance, stating, “Jack works so hard and puts so much into his game. He’s taking huge strides and is getting a lot of deserved individual honors right now. I’m proud of him.”
Augustana built three separate leads throughout the contest. Brett Meerman opened the scoring 7:55 into the first period with a breakaway goal. Michael Cicek answered for Michigan Tech at 11:21, capitalizing on a rebound from shots by Lauri Raiman and Kalem Parker. It was Cicek’s second goal of the season.
Meerman regained the lead for Augustana just 68 seconds later on a power play. Matthew Van Blaricom then leveled the score for the Huskies at 9:33 of the second period, redirecting a pass from Anderson, with Tom Leppa also assisting. Van Blaricom’s second goal of the season tied the game.
The Vikings responded once more when Carter Theissen found the back of the net 56 seconds later. However, Michigan Tech tied the game once again with 4:22 left in the second period. Luca Fasciano blasted a shot from the point, assisted by Max Koskipirtti and Tyler Miller, for his fourth goal of the season.
The decisive goal came when Koskipirtti won an offensive zone faceoff back to Anderson, who quickly gathered the puck and wristed a shot past the Augustana goaltender at 10:33 of the third period, sending the sold-out crowd into a frenzy. It was Anderson’s eighth goal of the season.
Augustana pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker with 1:37 remaining, but managed only one shot on goal.
Owen Bartoszkiewicz made 17 saves for Michigan Tech, earning his nation-leading 20th win of the season. Josh Kotai stopped 31 shots for Augustana.
Following the game, the children of John and Jerry MacInnes, Scott and Patti, presented the Huskies with the MacInnes Trophy. Winter Carnival Royal Majesty Ramie Sussex then presented Jack Anderson with the MVP award.
Michigan Tech will travel to Lake Superior State next weekend for their final road series of the regular season. The series marks the only meeting between the two teams this season, with the first game scheduled for Friday, February 13th at 7:07 PM.
