Spartans Fall Short to Huskies in Shootout at GLI

This year’s Great Lakes Invitational was an experience for the ages as teams got to play outdoors at Comerica Park in Detroit. The GLI kick-started the winter festivities that will be taking place downtown through the end of December.

Michigan State and Michigan Tech needed extra time, and eventually a shootout, to determine who would advance to the Championship game.

Michigan Tech dominated most of play through two periods and struck first on a goal by Husky forward Jacob Johnstone during the second period. Michigan State failed to create opportunities and had a tough time getting pucks to the net, registering just 11 shots on goal through two periods.

The Spartans struck early in the third on a power play goal by forward Matt Berry, tying the game at one. Less than four minutes later, the Spartans took the lead on a goal by forward Ryan Keller, whose shot was deflected out front and then beat Husky goaltender Pheonix Copley over the right shoulder.

MTU upped the pressure being down one, and evened up the score when forward Alex Petan was left open out front. Petan did not get the best shot off, but it was enough to beat sophomore goaltender Jake Hildebrand.

The game was 2-2 after the third period and remained the same after a five-minute overtime period. It was not until the fifth round of the shootout when Michigan Tech forward Ryan Furne ended it, advancing the Huskies to the Championship game.

MSU will face the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday at Comerica Park with the puck set to drop at 3:30 p.m. Michigan Tech will try and defend its GLI title against Western Michigan in the Championship game at 7 p.m.

 

David Defever is the host of Behind the Mask for Impact Sports

Photo: Jonathan Yales