Montana TechDiggers Stumble Against Providence in Home-and-Home Series
The Diggers (Tech) could not handle the continuous offence and physical game of the University of Providence Argos (Argos) last weekend, dropping both games of the home-and-home series by scores of 8-2 and 6-1.
Montana Tech at Argos - Friday, Nov. 15th (8-2 L)
Tech came out of the gate relatively strong, but a bad turnover after a defensive pinch led to an odd-man rush the other way early in the frame. The Argos capitalized on the play, banging home a rebound as Tech would struggle to get back into the zone on the turnover. The Argos struck again shortly before the halfway point, on a failed breakout attempt which led to a pass to the slot and an easy shot past Tech goalie Joe Rolfson. Despite the 2 goals, Rolfson stood tall, stopping 19 of 21 shots in the period.
Winger Jack Delici fires on net (Photo Credit: Lisa Shake
The Argos got on the board first in the second period, scoring twice in 30 seconds - first at 14:13, and again at 13:45. However, on an ensuing power play, Tech got on the board when Cade Holland slid a puck under the pads of the Argos netminder on a pass from Jack Delici. Shortly after the halfway mark, Tech appeared to struggle, and the Argos would score four goals - the last of which came with under a minute left. Rolfson would stop 19 shots again in the period.
After regrouping during the intermission, Tech, led by Rolfson again, held the Argos off the board (despite allowing 21 shots in the period). Captain Tye Carriere scored the only goal in the final 20 minutes, on a power play goal from the point.
Goaltender Joe Rolfson squares up for a shot (Photo Credit: Lisa Schake)
Rolfson stopped 57 of the 65 shots faced, and Tech went 2/6 on the power play.
Montana Tech vs Argos - Saturday, Nov. 15th (1-6 L)
Hoping to shake off the previous night's loss, Tech aimed to start strong at home. Goaltender Charlie Lang got the start after being absent from the crease for over a month due to an upper-body injury. The Argos capitalized on Lang's prolonged absence, scoring four straight goals in 8 minutes, one of which came on the power play (the first power play goal for the Argos of the series). Tech settled in, and Colin McCarthy had an easy tap-in goal with 90 seconds left in the frame, on an incredible individual effort by Carriere.
Goaltender Charlie Lang tracks puck through traffic (Photo Credit: Lisa Schake)
The break provided Tech with a much-needed opportunity to regroup, and the team came out and held the Argos off the board, with Lang leading the way, stopping all 26 shots faced. A large scrum occurred at the end of the period, when an Argos player shot the puck on net after the buzzer. The play resulted in numerous penalties, and the third period started with both teams down a man.
Sean Ripplinger is pulled away from scrum after a late shot (Photo Credit: Lisa Schake)
The final frame was a tight affair, but the Argos scored 2 more times, once on a deflection, and again on a shot from the side of the slot after a long shift.
Lang stopped 61 of 67 shots faced in his return.
Take Aways
Tech managed to hold their own against 8th-ranked Providence over the 2-game series, but were unable to pull together a full 60-minute performance either night.
Captain Tye Carriere contributed on both nights, earning a point (1G, 2A) on all Tech goals.
Goaltender Charlie Lang shook off the rust from his prolonged absence quickly, posting a 0.910 SV% despite allowing 6 goals.
The Diggers are back on the ice this weekend to take on the Eastern Washington University Eagles, with Friday being their “Pink the Rink” night to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research.
