Tommies fall 2-1 in Houghton

HOUGHTON, Mich. – St. Thomas Men's Hockey (3-9-4 overall, 2-6-3 CCHA) found the back of the net just once in falling to RV Michigan Tech (8-4-1 overall, 6-2-1 CCHA), 2-1 on Friday night.

Mason Poolman scored his fourth of the season, a single-season program record for goals by a defenseman. Ryan O'Neill and Cole Miller assisted on the play in the first period. The Tommies' power play could not continue its hot stretch going 0-5.

Recap
As most have come to expect over recent history between the Tommies and Huskies, the first period was played ferociously tight. Neither team could net the game's first goal until after the media timeout. Cole Miller led Ryan O'Neill with a breakout pass through to center ice. O'Neill battled off a Husky defender and roped a pass to Mason Poolman on the left side wing. The sophomore defenseman netted his fourth goal of the season from the top of the circle over the left shoulder of Tech's goaltender at 11:34.

The home team had the answer at 14:05 when Aaron Trotter made a save with his blocker but opened up a juicy rebound in front for Owen Baker who would not miss from just outside the goal crease.

First period action wrapped up without a penalty for either side. The same could not be said for the second 20 minutes. The Huskies were called for three penalties and the Tommies, one. Neither side could find the back of the net, part of a consistent trend when these two squads match up. The Tommies went 2-13 last season against the MTU penalty kill, the Huskies were just 1-12 in their four games against the Purple.

Aaron Trotter stood up to eight shots on goal in the period and stopped 20 of the first 21 shots he faced through the game's first two frames.

The Tommies' netminder continued to battle through ten minutes of the third period but could not stop the Husky power play at 10:13. Michigan Tech took the lead and never looked back. St. Thomas' red hot power play came up empty on two more attempts in the final 20 minutes.

Michigan Tech took game one of two by a score of 2-1.

Tommie Tidbits

Poolman's goal was his first career point against Michigan Tech. It was the fourth of his season, setting a new single-season program record for goals by a defenseman.

Up Next
The Tommies are back at it tomorrow against the Huskies with puck drop an hour earlier than tonight's affair. They will begin play at 5:07 p.m. central standard time. It is the Toms' final CCHA game of the calendar year.

Next Event

Team Stats

Mason Poolman

Cole Miller

Ryan O'Neill

Liam Malmquist

Players Mentioned

Cole Miller

Ryan O'Neill

Mason Poolman

Aaron Trotter

University of St. Thomas Athletics