TEMPE, ARIZONA – No. 16 Michigan Tech advanced to the Desert Hockey Classic championship game with a 4-2 win over Arizona State on Friday at Mullet Arena. The Huskies will improve to 13-6-3 and play No. 6 Boston University for their second straight Arizona Tournament title.
“The guys found a way to win against a good team at home,” Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. “I thought our defense played really well, and Blake saved our bacon on a lot of occasions. If we’re going to have a chance against a very good BU team, we’re going to have to be a lot better tomorrow.”
The Huskies took an early lead after Evan Orr scored his first collegiate goal 1:31 after a scrimmage. He finished 2-for-1 against Ryland Mosley for Tech’s fifth shortstop of the season.
“It was a quick turnaround on the blue, and I was fortunate to be on that 2-on-1. A guy like Mosley is going to make that play,” Orr said. “I’m so glad he got that monkey off my back.
“My aunt and uncle have a place here in Arizona and they were at the game. My uncle is a Tech grad, so it was great to get here with them.”
ASU (10-12-0) tied it with a shorthanded goal just 58 seconds into the second period. Robert Mastrosimone scored from Ethan Schmagage and Josh Doan.
Tech regained the lead when Tristan Ashbrook scored his sixth of the season 8:21 into the second. Kash Rasmussen had a rebound for Ashbrook with an assist from Parker Saretsky.
Blake Pattila rocked Dylan Jackson at 3:00 after Jackson found himself alone in front.
Jack Worce gave Tech a 3-1 lead 9:40 into the third period with a solo effort past two defenders and the goalie. Levi Stauber and Jake Crespi each scored the sixth goal of the season for Jobs.
Tech was called for a late penalty and ASU pulled the goalie for a 6-on-4 advantage. Robert Mastrosimone scored his second goal of the night to tie the game at one with 1:42 left in the game.
ASU pulled the goalie again. Kyle Kukonen had a chance in the strike zone but his shot went wide. Moments later, Ryland Mosley pounced on a loose puck in front of the Tech bench to tie the three-quarter ice streak behind the cage for his team-leading 10th of the season. Assisted by Logan Pietila.
Tech led 27-26 with 13 shots in the first and seven in each of the second two periods. Blake Pietila had his 12th win of the season with 24 saves and 47th of his career.
The Huskies went 2-for-3 on the penalty kill and 0-for-3 on the power play after each team was blown by four minor penalties.
Boston University defeated Air Force 5-1 in the first semifinal game. Tech is 9-5 all-time against the Terriers. The teams last met in It is November 1988. The Huskies were 6-0 in neutral site games and won the 1975 NCAA Championship with a 9-5 win over BU.
“I think we have to continue to play our game tomorrow,” Orr added. It’s going to be an offensive game against a team like this, so we have to defend well.
“They move the puck and when they get a good look they put it in,” Shawhan said. “It’s going to be a really good test for us and hopefully we can come out with the same energy and enthusiasm that we had against Michigan State last week.”
The puck drops at 5:30 pm Eastern / 3:30 pm ET. ASU and Air Force will play in a consolation game at 9pm Eastern / 7pm at Mt.
