BEMIDJI, Minn. – Michigan Tech captured its first-ever CCHA Mason Cup Championship with a 2-1 victory at No. 20 Bemidji State Friday evening. The Huskies punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season, snapping the 11-game unbeaten streak by Bemidji State.
The Huskies improved to 19-14-6 overall and extended their winning streak to five games. It’s the 12th conference tournament title with the previous 11 all coming in the WCHA. Tech will make its third straight NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1976. Coach Joe Shawhan will take Tech to its fourth NCAA Tournament in his seventh season.
“Huge congratulations to Bemidji. What a great hockey team they are. They had a big-time push and there was no quit in them. They had a great year,” Shawhan said. “This was just a one-shot game, and we happened to make it, and our goaltending was great–as always.
After some nervous energy to start the game. The Huskies took control, outshooting Bemidji 14-7 in the first 20 minutes. But it was the home team finding the first goal when Kasper Magnussen found the back of the net from Austin Jouppi and Jackson Jutting 14:07 into the game.
Like the Huskies have done all second half of the season–they responded. And quickly. Alex Nordstrom and Henry Bartle went in on a 2-on-1. Nordstrom took the shot and then tipped the rebound out front, and Chase Pietila banged in the goal to tie the game only 52 seconds after the home team got the Sanford Center rocking.
Ryland Mosley scored the eventual game-winner 9:20 into the second. The Beavers dumped the puck into the zone and Matthew Campbell caught it down at the goal line and quickly moved it up to Mosley. He broke into the zone made a move to his backhand in the slot and slipped it in for his 18th goal of the season. He extended his point streak to five games and is now tied for the team lead in goals.
“It wasn’t a hard shot,” Mosley said. “I tried to get it off quickly and throw it wherever. I’m not sure what I was doing, but I saw it go off the post and in. I was pretty tired so I didn’t get to my normal celebration.”
The Beavers pressured in the third with 17 shots on goal. All-American Blake Pietila was there each time. BSU got the only power play of the game with 4:58 remaining but the penalty-killing unit stood tall only allowing one shot on net.
BSU (20-16-2) added the extra attacker with 1:48 left. Blake had to make three saves while defensemen Chase Pietila and Trevor Russell blocked shots.
Logan Pietila won a faceoff with 12 seconds left and the Huskies held, throwing helmets, gloves, and sticks in the air in celebration of their first Mason Cup Championship.
“The guys in front of me made it easy to see pucks. They did a great job boxing out to make my life easier,” Blake said. “It’s special to finally win this championship after five years. We’ll be reliving this moment over and over.”
Ryland Mosley was named the Mason Cup Championship Game’s first star with the game-winner, while Blake Pietila was named the second star, making 34 saves on 35 shots.
Mattias Sholl made 25 saves for the home team.
Michigan Tech will hear its name called on Selection Sunday. ESPNU and ESPN+ will reveal the 2024 NCAA Tournament bracket at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time.
