Box Score
HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Tech scored four unanswered goals to overcome an early 3-0 deficit as it defeated the American International College men's ice hockey team Friday night. The non-conference contest was the 2011-12 season-opener for both teams.
The Yellow Jackets looked like they may run away with the game early, taking a 3-0 lead into the locker room after the opening period.
Junior center
Steve Mele (Bronx, N.Y.) got AIC on the board 9:13 into the game and sophomore left wing
Jon Puskar (Grosse Ile, Mich.) made it a 2-0 game just over two minutes later. Junior defenseman
Jeff Ceccacci (Placentia, Calif.) scored the Yellow Jackets' third and final goal with just 1:32 remaining in the first frame.
The Huskies finally got on the board when freshman left wing Blake Pietila (Milford, Mich.) found the back of the net on the power play with 1:59 left on the clock in the second period, cutting Michigan Tech's deficit to 3-1 after two.
That goal tilted the momentum in the Huskies favor they rest of the way and they dominated the Yellow Jackets in the third period, outshooting AIC 18-4 as they stormed back to win the game.
Piettila scored again with the man-advantage at 7:34 of the third period and junior defenseman Steven Seigo (Edenwood, Sask.) tied the game at three with a power play goal of his own with 2:13 left in the game. Senior right wing Jordan Baker (Chestermere, Alb.) then put home the game-winner off a lead pass from senior center Brett Olson (Superior, Wisc.) with 59 seconds left on the clock.
The Yellow Jackets pulled junior goaltender Ben Meinser (Halifax, N.S.) after the ensuing faceoff to get an extra attacker on the ice, but were unable to tie the game.
Junior goaltender Kevin Genoe (Qualicum, B.C.) settled down after a rough first period, making 17 saves to record the win in goal for Michigan Tech. Meisner finished the game with 33 saves, 15 of which were in the third period, in taking the loss for AIC.
The Huskies outshot the Yellow Jackets 37-20 thanks to an 18-4 advantage in the final frame and converted on three of their four power play opportunities. AIC went 0-for-4 with the man-advantage, one of which was a five-minute major.
The two teams will meet against Saturday night to close out the weekend set. The puck will drop at 7:37 p.m. at Michigan Tech's John MacInnes Student Ice Center.
