HOUGHTON, Mich. (AP) — Blake Pietila had two goals and Dennis Rix added a goal and an assist as Michigan Tech stunned top-ranked Minnesota 5-3 on Friday in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

The Huskies (2-1-0, 1-0-0) jumped on the Golden Gophers for three first-period goals, including two in a span of 22 seconds for a 3-1 lead.

“We knew this would be a big series for us,” said Blake Pietila, who has a goal in each of Michigan Tech’s three games this season. “We came out hard and played hard throughout the game. It was a 60-minute game by everybody.”

The Huskies took a three-goal lead into the third period, but they had the gap sliced to two late in the third. The Gophers skated 6-on-5 for the last 2:50 of the game but got no closer.

Alex Petan, Pietila and Rix scored first-period goals for the Huskies. After Minnesota (2-1-0, 0-1-0) closed within 3-2, Pietila and his brother, Chad, both scored to make it a three-goal game heading into the third period.

Pheonix Copley made 28 saves for the Huskies.

Nate Schmidt, Nick Bjugstad and Travis Boyd had Gopher goals, and goalies Michael Shibrowski and Adam Wilcox combined for 21 stops.

 

Shibrowski started and was lifted in the second period.

Boyd’s goal was a power-play goal at 17:50 of the third.

The loss left Minnesota coach Don Lucia stuck at 599 career victories.

“Michigan Tech played very well, they deserved to win the game,” Lucia said. “You can’t give up three goals in the first period on the road.”