HOUGHTON, Mich. - Upper Peninsula rival Michigan Tech edged Lake Superior State in the Winter Carnival series opening game 3-0 during Friday night's Western Collegiate Hockey Association contest.
3,648 fans packed into the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena for the nationally televised game which was the 65th meeting all-time between the teams.
The Lakers (9-16-4, 6-9-4 WCHA) were unable to get crack the code against Jamie Phillips (15-6-5) as the senior goaltender registered his second shutout of the season and ninth of his career. Phillips turned aside 31 shots, including 16 during the third period in which the Lakers outshot the Huskies (15-7-4, 12-6-3 WCHA) 16-5 during the final frame.
Gordon Defiel (6-10-3) made the start in net for the Lakers and looked sharp through the early goings, holding the high-scoring Huskies, who lead the WCHA with 30 goals in the first period of games this season, scoreless during the opening frame.
However, just 1:57 in the middle period, senior forward Max Vallis put MTU on the board with a quick wind-up slap shot from the slot on a bouncing puck, catching Defiel off guard.
As time was winding down late in the second period it was Vallis again, this time streaking down the boards on a breakaway, who was able to find the slightest of angles to tuck it past Defiel and give his side the 2-0 lead. Reid Sturos, who also assisted on the earlier goal by Vallis, was again credited with the assist to finish the night with a multi-point game.
Matt Roy, a sophomore defenseman, put the Huskies up 3-0 with 13:21 remaining in regulation to squash any attempt at a comeback bid by the Lakers.
LSSU, with the help of the third period rally, outshot the Huskies 31-27. The Lakers have been held to just two goals in their last four WCHA games.
Both teams were penalized just once during the game, each were minor infractions and neither team scored on their lone power-play attempt.
The Lakers and Huskies resume the annual Winter Carnival two-game total goal series with a Saturday matinee beginning at 5:07 p.m.
