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No.6 Minnesota-Duluth stormed back from a 3-2 deficit on Sunday to earn a home sweep of No. 17 Michigan Tech. Senior Alex Iafallo tapped in a pass from sophomore defenseman Neal Pionk with 15 seconds remaining to beat Huskies sophomore Devin Kero for the victory. Michigan Tech fell short despite receiving a standout performance from the penalty killing unit and a solid game from Kero, who started for the first time in his college career and turned away 27 of 31 shots.
“We got off to a slow start and we were probably thinking about last night rather than the game today,” said Iafallo, who leads all active Bulldogs in career scoring with 72 points. “We just kind of came together in the third period and we were able to put one in.”
“It was a lot of fun,” said Kero, “I felt like I was in the zone. I would’ve liked a different result, but it was great getting my first college start.” Kero entered Saturday’s 6-0 loss in relief of classmate Matt Wintjes and stopped 10 of 12 shots.
Freshman Hunter Miska returned between the pipes tonight for the Bulldogs, but Kero and his defensive unit stole the show for the better part of three periods. Kero credits some of his success to Michigan Tech legend Jamie Phillips, who Kero backed up last season.
“Seeing how he works every day, how he approaches each game, he was so consistent. It definitely helps.”
The Huskies endured their second game ejection in as many games when alternate captain Michael Neville was called for kneeing. The Huskies only dressed 11 forwards for the Sunday matinee, and were reduced to 10 with Neville’s ejection.
“The penalty kill was better tonight,” said coach Mel Pearson. “We need to commit fewer penalties.”
With the Huskies already down a man from a Dylan Steman holding minor, the Huskies faced a two-man disadvantage for nearly two minutes. UMD scored on the two-man advantage with a one-time stick-breaking tally from sophomore defenseman Neal Pionk. Kero and company successfully closed the door on the remainder of Neville’s major penalty, finishing 6-of-7 on the penalty kill for the evening.
Kero had support from an experienced defensive core, as the Huskies return six defensemen from last season’s WCHA co-champion unit. NHL teams own the rights of three of these defensemen: Matt Roy, Dane Birks, and captain Cliff Watson.
“Defensemen are your best friends,” said Kero, “It helped a lot having those experienced guys back there.”
The Huskies gave up a short-handed breakaway chance in the second period as Bulldogs senior Kyle Osterberg batted down a pass and went in one-on-one with Kero, who denied Osterberg’s attempt for his second goal of the night. Osterberg has scored in both games to start the season for UMD.
“It was a good team character win, for sure,” said Osterberg. “Good teams find a way to win and we just stuck with our game and it was a big goal at the end for Al (Iafallo).”
UMD sophomore Billy Exell tied the game at 11:35 in the third period, banging home a rebound in the crease for his first collegiate goal. The Bulldogs scored on two of their three third period shots on goal.
Pearson says this weekend’s struggles will benefit the team.
“We (now) understand what it means to play tough games on the road. We aren’t satisfied with the result, but it was a good game for us. Every play matters.”
