UAH had a rough return to play to start 2021, falling 4-0 at Michigan Tech on Saturday to begin WCHA play in Houghton.
The Chargers were outshot 30-18 as the Huskies applied constant pressure and created their own puck luck.
UAH (0-4-1 overall, 0-1-0 WCHA) will try for a split Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. CST. MTU improved to 5-3-1 and 1-0-0 with its fourth straight win.
David Fessenden made 26 saves for the Chargers, who felt the Huskies’ persistent pressure, particularly in the first two periods.
At the end of one, the Michigan Tech outshot UAH 9-4, but no goals were scored. Quinn Green had UAH’s best chance with a breakaway in the last 10 seconds.
The Huskies continued to apply the pressure hard to start the second period and it finally paid off. Brian Halonen scored on an open net, converting a 2-on-1 with Nick Nardella to put Michigan Tech up 1-0 at the 6:42 mark.
The Chargers killed a penalty (with Fessenden making four saves), but fell behind 2-0 as a puck hit Quinn Green’s skate and past Fessenden with 7:49 left in the second.
UAH had a solid power play of their own, but failed to convert after three shots on Blake Pietila, who made 18 saves for his second shutout of the season. The Chargers were 0-for-2 with the power play, where they were able to put some pressure back on the Huskies.
Trenton Bliss made it 3-0 Tech on the power play with 1:28 left in the second. Tyler Rockwell scored from the high slot with 6:38 left in the third for a 4-0 MTU lead.