Diggers Stumble out the Gate in 2026
Montana Tech (Tech) opened 2026 with a set of games at home and on the road, first traveling to Helena MT to take on the MSU Bobcats (Cats) in the first round of the Montana Cup. Under a week later, Tech took on the Cats in Bozeman, before facing the Western Washington University Vikings (Vikings) for a pair of games at home. Tech went 04 over the stretch, getting shut out by the Cats 6-0 and 10-0, and losing 5-4 and 7-4 to the Vikings.
Tech vs Cats (Montana Cup) - Friday, Jan 9th
Tech started the new year on the road, attending the 2nd annual Montana Cup in Helena, MT. Tech entered the tournament as the 4th seed, paired up against the number 1 seed Cats. Notable missing players in the Tech roster included captain Tye Carriere (in Europe for the ACHA Selects tournament), Luke Benoit (IR), Ashton Rach (IR), and Carter Ash (IR), forcing the team to take the ice with a depleted blue line. Further, notable forwards Aaron Keener, Riley Kelly, Liam Beer, and Michael McKay have been removed from the roster due to academics.
Photo Credit: Lori Schroeder
Despite the depleted lineup, Tech would hold the Cats off the board for the first 14 minutes of the game. The Cats opened the scoring at 14:10, and followed it up with another even-strength marker at 17:47, sending Tech to the locker room after the first period, down 0-2. The Cats outshot Tech by 20 shots, with the Diggers only able to muster 2 shots on net in the opening frame.
Tech would remain stingy against the Cats in the second period, holding them to just 1 goal (short-handed). The Cats continued to apply heavy pressure, but goaltender Charlie Lang stood tall, turning away 25 of 26 shots.
Photo Credit: Lori Schroeder
The Cats would again find the scoreboard at the halfway mark of the third, and notched the final goal of the game at 16:29, giving the Cats a 5-0 victory over Tech. Lang stopped 66 of 71 shots, as the Cats outshot Tech 71-14.
Tech at Cats- Thursday, Jan 15th
Tech traveled to Bozeman for a late-start Thursday matchup, hopeful that the return of Carriere, Ash, and Benoit could help spark some offense. However, the Cats came out of the gate flying, with 2 top players and their head coach, Dave Weaver, also back on bench after returning from Europe.
The Cats found the back of the net early, just 1:44 into the game. Special teams took control for the Cats, and they scored 2 power play goals and a short handed goal, sending Tech to the locker room after 20 minutes down 5-0, and outshot 24-4.
The Cats again came out charging in the second, scoring 2 quick goals in the first 5 minutes, ending Tech goaltender Joe Rolfsons night. Tech settled down after the goalie change, and played a more defensive game in front of Charlie Lang. Regardless of the improved play, the Cats added one more tally in the second frame, and outshot Tech 30-8.
Tech brought their most offensive play forward in the Third, putting 10 shots on net. However, they could not solve the Cats goaltender, who would deliver the shut out. The Cats found the back of the net 2 more times in the third, and would take the victory 10-0 in Bozeman.
Tech vs Vikings - Friday, Jan 16th
The Vikings, who sit one spot ahead of Tech in the National Rankings, looked to continue Tech’s losing streak in 2026. In a period that saw goals traded in short succession, the Vikings struck first in the opening frame at 13:33 on the power play. However, Tech responded just over a minute later on a goal by Jack Delici, the first for Tech in 2026. The Vikings struck twice quickly just a minute later, however, jumping to a 3-1 lead nearing the end of the opening frame. Carriere answered again put Tech back on the board, scoring 46 seconds later. Aiden Ripplinger would tie the game with just 26 seconds left, sending the teams to the locker room tied at 3 after 20.
After a 6-goal first period, things tightend up significantly in the second, with only one goal put on the board. The Vikings capitalized on the second too-many-men penalty taken by Tech after a bench miscommunication, scoring just 9 seconds into the ensuing power play. After 40 minutes, the Vikings led 4-3, despite being outshot 31-24.
The third period brought another tight checking matchup, but Cade Holland found the back of the net at 14:52, off a stretch pass from Riley Graves. Just when both sides had accepted the possibility of overtime, the Vikings scored the eventual game winner at 19:21, at the end of a Vikings powerplay when Luke Benoit took an interference penalty. The Vikings were dominant in the third period, outshooting Tech 17-5. Lang stopped 36 of 41 shots.
Tech vs Vikings - Saturday, Jan 17th (L7-4)
After a tight matchup the night before, Saturdays rematch did not disappoint for the first 2 frames. The first period saw just one goal scored by the Vikings, who outshot Tech 17-11. However, goaltender Joe Rolfson stood tall, allowing Tech to go to the locker room down by just 1
Tech came out with force in the second period, and Captain Tye Carriere evened the score just 1 minute in. Cade Holland added a goal shortly past the halfway point, giving Tech their first lead of the series - however, the Vikings responded minutes later to tie the game at 16:34. Tech continued to apply pressure, and regained the lead on an individual effort by defenseman Mason Kramer. Tech headed to the locker room at the end of the second up 3-2, despite being outshot 27-23.
The third period brought a heavy offensive push by the Vikings, who scored 2 early goals to retake the lead just 3:06 in. Halfway through the third, emotions spilled over and Tech found themselves taking a sequence of penalties, which led to another 2 power play goals against by the Vikings. Tech attempted to get back into the game when Benoit found the back of the net off a finely tuned passing sequence, but the Vikings responded less than a minute later to increase the score to 7-4, deflating Tech’s drive.
The Vikings went on to sweep Tech 2-0, outshooting them 43-33 in the second game.
Takeaways
This was the first time Tech has been shut out in back to back games this season.
Tech was held off the board for a consecutive 126:41 between their last goal against University of Idaho and their first goal of 2026, against Western Washington University.
Penalty Woes - Tech’s special teams have cooled off significantly with missing key components Riley Kelly, Aaron Keener, and Michael McKay.
What’s Next
Tech travels to Washington for their last road trip of the regular season to take on the Eastern Washington Eagles (1/22/2026) and Western Washington University Vikings (1/23 & 24/2026) before returning home for their final game of the year against the University of Providence Argos (1/31/2026 - Senior Night).
