Michigan
7-11-2, 2-7-1
Michigan Tech
12-8-1, 8-6-0
Michigan Falls to Michigan Tech in GLI Championship Game
12/31/2019 6:07:00 PM | Ice Hockey
» Jack Becker and Nick Pastujov each scored in the 2nd period to build a 2-1 lead.
» Strauss Mann stopped 27 of the 30 shots he faced while shouldering the loss.
» Jake Slaker was named to the all-tournament team.
Site: Detroit, Mich. (Little Caesars Arena)
Event: Great Lakes Invitational (Championship Game)
Score: Michigan Tech 4, Michigan 2
Records: U-M (7-11-2), MTU (11-8-1)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Jan. 10 -- at Notre Dame (South Bend, Ind.), 7 p.m. (TV: NBCSN)
DETROIT, Mich. -- Jack Becker and Nick Pastujov scored goals in the second period, but the University of Michigan ice hockey team fell, 4-2, to Michigan Tech in the championship game of the Great Lakes Invitational on Tuesday (Dec. 31) at Little Caesars Arena.
Halfway through the opening period, Michigan led in shots, 9-2, and was setting the tone in all three zones. Goaltender Strauss Mann made key saves when needed, including an early Michigan Tech breakaway opportunity that he confidently pushed aside. The pace and chippiness picked up a bit as the period began to wane, with pre-faceoff interactions picking up as time dwindled.
With two minutes remaining in the first period, Jacob Hayhurst found himself alone with the puck several feet in front of the Husky netminder, but could not beat former Wisconsin Badger Matt Jurusik to open the scoring for the Maize and Blue. Just moments later, Mann came up big once again to deny a clever net-front chance. After 20 minutes, Michigan led in shots, 20-9.
The second period began with fast-paced play, highlighted by forward Will Lockwood breaking in to the Tech end with speed and forcing a shot towards the net that was deflected before being swept aside by the opposing goaltender.
The Wolverines finally broke open the scoring 5:48 into the middle frame when senior forward Pastujov corralled a Nick Blankenburg shot attempt behind the net and rushed around the cage to jam the puck between the post and a sliding Jurusik. Senior defenseman Griffin Luce joined Blankenburg in picking up assists on Pastujov's 20th career goal as a Wolverine.
Michigan's one-goal lead would last for five minutes before the GLI hosts from Houghton found the back of the net on a broken play deep in the U-M end, rendering Mann helpless as an uncovered Husky was waiting backdoor to snap home the tying goal. With half of a game to go, the contest was tied at one apiece.
The game's first penalty was not called until 15:23 of the second period when the Wolverines were short-handed after being whistled for elbowing. After Michigan's fourth successful penalty kill of the tournament, U-M wasted no time in pressuring the Michigan Tech end. One minute after U-M returned to full strength, Jack Becker skated into the opposing zone and fired off a wrist shot. Becker's initial try was blocked by a Husky defenseman, but the junior quickly reclaimed the puck before firing a second shot five-hole that found the back of the net to put the Wolverines back in front, 2-1. After two periods of play, Michigan was ahead and held the advantage in shots, 30-16.
The Michigan lead once again would be short-lived as a shot in from the point was deflected past Mann just 1:29 into the final stanza, evening the game at 2. U-M created chances throughout the bulk of the period but could not capitalize for a critical third goal. With 4:20 left in the game, Michigan Tech's Logan Pietila scored his third goal of the game for the Huskies to pull them ahead, 3-2, with just minutes left in the 55th GLI title game.
With Michigan down a goal and the John A. MacInnes Trophy on the line, Lockwood skated through the neutral zone with speed and created a shot opportunity by waiting for the goaltender to commit. As Jurusik slid across the crease, Lockwood's deflected shot was kicked away. With less than 30 seconds remaining, Hayhurst nearly tied the game with a backdoor one-timer, but the shot hit the post before being knocked aside by the goaltender's skate. With nine seconds remaining, Michigan Tech sealed its seventh MacInnes Trophy (and first since 2012) with an empty-net goal.
The Wolverines are now 17-14 all-time in GLI championship games and 60-37-3 overall in the holiday tournament. Senior Jake Slaker was named to the 2019 GLI All-Tournament team. MVP honors went to Michigan Tech's Pietila, who had a natural hat trick.
The Wolverines will have the weekend off before they head to South Bend, Indiana, to begin the second half of the season against Notre Dame on Jan. 10-11. Friday night's (Jan. 10) contest will begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network. Puck drop for Saturday's (Jan. 11) game is scheduled for 6 p.m.
