University of St. Thomas Athletics
Thursday, January 11
Mendota Heights, Minn.
7:07 p.m. Central
vs
Michigan Tech
Photo by: Kylie Macziewski
Back in the CCHA Groove: Men’s Hockey to host Michigan Tech
1/10/2024 2:13:00 PM | Men's Hockey
The Tommies return to conference play after over a month away; they welcome in the third place Michigan Tech Huskies
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of St. Thomas Men's Hockey team (9-10-1, 7-5-0 CCHA) will play two games on home ice against the Michigan Tech Huskies (9-8-4, 6-4-0 CCHA) this Thursday and Saturday. The Toms are 1-8-1 all time against the Huskies. This will be the first meeting between the two in which St. Thomas has earned more conference points before puck drop of the first game.
Despite what an 1-8-1 record may lead one to believe, the Tommies and Huskies have routinely played tight contests with one another. Six of the 10 matchups have been decided by one goal with eight decided by two goals or less. The Toms have never won a game against MTU in Mendota Heights.
St. Thomas secured its first victory against Michigan Tech in January of last season on the road in Houghton, 3-2. It was a come-from-behind effort with goals from current Tommies Jake Braccini and Luc Laylin. Aaron Trotter made saves on 27 of the 29 shots he faced in the Purple's win.
The Toms looked to carry that last regular season meeting into the playoffs when they drew the Huskies in the first round of the CCHA tournament. St. Thomas' efforts came up just short in both bouts. Michigan Tech handed them a 1-0 loss in game one and a 5-4 defeat to end their 2022-23 season.
Trotter once again pulled through for the Toms in game one with 31 saves on 32 shots. The only goal of the game came on the Huskies' 27th in the third period. St. Thomas' offense just could not solve CCHA Goaltender of the Year Blake Pietila who made all 30 saves in a shutout.
A pair of frustrated offenses turned up the heat in game two with four goals in the first period (three for MTU), one for each side in the second, and three in the third (two for UST). The Toms scored the first goal of the game and the final two in the third period but could not complete the comeback effort.
LAST TIME OUT
It was a frustrating road trip to the Northeast for the Toms with two losses against the Vermont Catamounts. St. Thomas was outscored 9-2 between the two games with goals from Ryan O'Neill and Luc Laylin.
Things were a bit cheerier after the holiday season when the Toms returned home for an exhibition against in-state foe Minnesota Duluth. The Tommies downed the Bulldogs 3-1 with goals from Liam Malmquist, Ryan O'Neill, and Luke Manning.
Aaron Trotter started in goal and made 12 saves in just under 30 minutes without allowing a goal. Jake Sibell came in midway through the contest, he stopped 17 of 18 shots faced.
NOT WORKING OVERTIME
Three of the Tommies' first five games could not be decided in regulation. Opening night against St. Cloud State ended with a Ryder Donovan game-winner in overtime. The spectacle that was St. Thomas vs. Minnesota at the Xcel Energy Center went to overtime with the Gophers coming out on top. Game one against Lindenwood ended in a tie after neither team scored during the three-on-three overtime period.
In the 15 games since, the Toms have not gone to overtime. They are the only team in the CCHA without an overtime conference game played. Michigan Tech's last two games went to overtime, they have played nine overtime periods this season, the most in the conference.
St. Thomas is tied for the fewest overtime games with Northern Michigan and Bowling Green. The Tommies currently have the longest streak of games without going to overtime in the CCHA.
MID-SEASON ADDITIONS
Both St. Thomas and Michigan Tech added one player to their roster over the holiday break.
The Tommies brought in their signee Chase Cheslock who was playing in his second season with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL. Cheslock is a 6' 4" defensemen from Minnesota who was drafted in the fifth round of the most recent NHL draft by the New Jersey Devils. Chase is the first drafted signee to play for St. Thomas in the program's history. He wears number 26 and has played in two official games for the Purple.
Michigan Tech made a splash in the transfer portal just before the start of the 2023-24 season when Austen Swankler (formerly of CCHA-rival Bowling Green) decided to play for the Huskies. Swankler has been to two NHL development camps and grabbed the attention of many across the college hockey landscape with his 72 points in 73 career games. He was named to the CCHA All-Rookie team as a freshman and was an All-CCHA First Team selection last season. He has played two games for the Tech with two assists in their 3-2 win over Alaska on December 28.
Despite what an 1-8-1 record may lead one to believe, the Tommies and Huskies have routinely played tight contests with one another. Six of the 10 matchups have been decided by one goal with eight decided by two goals or less. The Toms have never won a game against MTU in Mendota Heights.
St. Thomas secured its first victory against Michigan Tech in January of last season on the road in Houghton, 3-2. It was a come-from-behind effort with goals from current Tommies Jake Braccini and Luc Laylin. Aaron Trotter made saves on 27 of the 29 shots he faced in the Purple's win.
The Toms looked to carry that last regular season meeting into the playoffs when they drew the Huskies in the first round of the CCHA tournament. St. Thomas' efforts came up just short in both bouts. Michigan Tech handed them a 1-0 loss in game one and a 5-4 defeat to end their 2022-23 season.
Trotter once again pulled through for the Toms in game one with 31 saves on 32 shots. The only goal of the game came on the Huskies' 27th in the third period. St. Thomas' offense just could not solve CCHA Goaltender of the Year Blake Pietila who made all 30 saves in a shutout.
A pair of frustrated offenses turned up the heat in game two with four goals in the first period (three for MTU), one for each side in the second, and three in the third (two for UST). The Toms scored the first goal of the game and the final two in the third period but could not complete the comeback effort.
LAST TIME OUT
It was a frustrating road trip to the Northeast for the Toms with two losses against the Vermont Catamounts. St. Thomas was outscored 9-2 between the two games with goals from Ryan O'Neill and Luc Laylin.
Things were a bit cheerier after the holiday season when the Toms returned home for an exhibition against in-state foe Minnesota Duluth. The Tommies downed the Bulldogs 3-1 with goals from Liam Malmquist, Ryan O'Neill, and Luke Manning.
Aaron Trotter started in goal and made 12 saves in just under 30 minutes without allowing a goal. Jake Sibell came in midway through the contest, he stopped 17 of 18 shots faced.
NOT WORKING OVERTIME
Three of the Tommies' first five games could not be decided in regulation. Opening night against St. Cloud State ended with a Ryder Donovan game-winner in overtime. The spectacle that was St. Thomas vs. Minnesota at the Xcel Energy Center went to overtime with the Gophers coming out on top. Game one against Lindenwood ended in a tie after neither team scored during the three-on-three overtime period.
In the 15 games since, the Toms have not gone to overtime. They are the only team in the CCHA without an overtime conference game played. Michigan Tech's last two games went to overtime, they have played nine overtime periods this season, the most in the conference.
St. Thomas is tied for the fewest overtime games with Northern Michigan and Bowling Green. The Tommies currently have the longest streak of games without going to overtime in the CCHA.
MID-SEASON ADDITIONS
Both St. Thomas and Michigan Tech added one player to their roster over the holiday break.
The Tommies brought in their signee Chase Cheslock who was playing in his second season with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL. Cheslock is a 6' 4" defensemen from Minnesota who was drafted in the fifth round of the most recent NHL draft by the New Jersey Devils. Chase is the first drafted signee to play for St. Thomas in the program's history. He wears number 26 and has played in two official games for the Purple.
Michigan Tech made a splash in the transfer portal just before the start of the 2023-24 season when Austen Swankler (formerly of CCHA-rival Bowling Green) decided to play for the Huskies. Swankler has been to two NHL development camps and grabbed the attention of many across the college hockey landscape with his 72 points in 73 career games. He was named to the CCHA All-Rookie team as a freshman and was an All-CCHA First Team selection last season. He has played two games for the Tech with two assists in their 3-2 win over Alaska on December 28.
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