Tech focused on positives from sweep
By K.D. Warvie - DMG Sports WriterDespite dropping both games to Colorado College this past weekend, there were some positives for Michigan Tech.
The Huskies played well during even-strength situations. Five of Tech's six goals came while both teams were at full strength.
"I was very happy with how we played five-on-five," Tech coach Jamie Russell said. "For our first game on the road, our first game on an Olympic ice surface, we did some very good things.
"I would even say we took it to Colorado College five-on-five. We were sound in our own end defensively. We back-checked well. We created a lot of offense."
One player who had a major impact offensively was Malcolm Gwilliam. Gwilliam had three goals and an assist in the two games.
"Malcolm Gwilliam has a goal a game here, so he's converting," Russell said. "He had a number of chances as well that didn't quite find the back of the net, but that's a huge positive for us that our senior captain's off to a very good start."
Russell was also impressed with the play of his freshman class. The Huskies' kid corps recorded three points in the series.
"We're excited about where our freshmen are at," Russell said. "Steven Seigo is doing some really good things with the puck.
"It was also great to see Anthony Schooley score his first collegiate goal on a great shot, so we did some good things."
Unfortunately for the Huskies, it was not all good. There were some negatives as well that cost Tech a shot at victories in both games.
Ten of CC's 12 goals came from its special teams. The Tigers scored eight power-play goals and had two shorthanded tallies.
"Specialty teams obviously is a real concern," Russell said. "We gave up two shorthanded goals, our penalty kill really struggled.
"We gave up too many Grade A chances on the penalty kill Friday night. Saturday we needed to block more shots.
"You're going to give up some chances on the penalty kill. But I thought we did a better job of limiting the Grade A chances."
Kivisto, MacLeod add some offensive punch
Senior defenseman John Kivisto and sophomore forward Alex MacLeod combined for five points on the weekend. Kivisto assisted on one of Gwilliam's three goals and also had a helper on MacLeod's first goal of the season.
The goal by MacLeod was the first even-strength tally of his career.
All of MacLeod's other goals have come on the power play.
"It was nice to see Alex MacLeod get his first goal five-on-five," Russell said. "He had six power-play goals last year, so that kind of got the monkey off his back five-on-five."
K.D. Warvie can be reached at kwarvie @mininggazette.com.
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uprealist
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10-27-09 7:11 PM
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Polishing the terd again this year? 61-137-32 after 6 seasons. How many building years will Coach Russell and Tech have before they start answering the tough questions? The Gazette articles always make things seem pretty comfortable. I hope Tech can start saying more on the ice and talking less off of it.
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