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The Wolverines returned to Yost to face Michigan Tech on homecoming after grinding out a tough road win against Ferris State last Friday.
The 1996 national championship team was on hand to watch the game and Michigan wore throwback script maize jerseys to honor them.
This game was a tough matchup with the young Wolverine squad going against former Michigan assistant Mel Pearson and a well coached Huskies team. Red Berenson decided to with freshman Hayden Lavigne in net, who made his debut in a 31 save shutout against Union.
Lavigne got off to solid start answering the call whenever he was needed in the first period, even after he was ran over by a Michigan Tech Husky that led to Wolverines power play. Michigan was able to pick up a goal at 13:05 when Jake Slaker was able to slot it past Devin Kero in the Tech goal.
The Wolverines came out hot to start the second period and were able to grab another goal. Tony Calderone scored at 2:45 to make it 2-0 in favor of the maize and blue. After the second goal Michigan came out flat and the Huskies were able to control the flow of play for the rest of the second period. After what seemed like a never ending forecheck from Tech they got on the board at 9:59 with Alex Gillies scoring on a pass Dylan Steman.
The Score-O contest during the second intermission was a real show featuring Marty Truco, Brendan Morrison and Mike Legg. All three scored but Legg scored from 3⁄4 of the way down the ice with the signature “Michigan” move.
Jake Slaker scored to make it 3-1 at 5:03 in the third period but the two goal lead was short lived. Michigan Tech answered quickly when Alex Smith beat Lavigne short side after a turnover behind the Wolverine net to make it 3-2.
The Huskies were able to tie it up after Lavigne lost the puck and was unable to cover it up after making a save on a long distance shot. Reid Sturos was able to put the puck by Lavigne to make it 3-3.
Tony Calderone took a hooking penalty at 18:30 in the third period to give Michigan Tech the man advantage late in a tie game. Freshman Will Lockwood came up big with the game winning short handed goal with 51 second left.
The Wolverines killed off those last 51 seconds to beat Michigan Tech 4-3. Game two of the homecoming series is tomorrow at 7:30pm EST and can be streamed on mgoblue.com.