Montana Tech Drops Two in Home-and-Home Series Against Providence

This past weekend, Montana Tech University (Tech) battled the University of Providence (Providence) Argos in a home-and-home series on November 15 and 16. Tech dropped the first game 10-2 on Friday and fell 8-0 on Saturday. Tech returned back to Butte after a series in North Dakota.

Providence at Tech – Game 1

In the opener in Butte, the Argos took control early, scoring in the third minute and adding five more in the first period to take a commanding 6-0 lead after one. Tech regrouped in the second period, holding Providence off the scoreboard while Sawyer Inman netted Tech's first goal at 10:45.

“I think we were falling into our same mistakes, so many of the goals were scored in front of the next by unprotected players.” Noted Coach Dave Rathgeber after the first period. “But the guys regrouped and really responded well in the second period, holding a team like Providence off the board while getting one of our own was really great to see from a coaching standpoint.”

Carrying momentum into the third period, Cade Holland added another for Tech, assisted by Riley Kelly. However, the Argos responded with four more goals, two of which came on the power play, to seal the 10-2 win.

Tech goalie Brecken Kasse faced an onslaught of 87 shots, making 77 saves in the loss.

“Providence has an extremely strong powerplay - every time we ended up in the box, the puck ended up in the back of the net” Coach Rathgeber pointed out, noting the Diggers were 0/3 on the penalty kill on Friday night.

The game also marked the return of former Butte Cobra and Norwegian national Fabian Vik, who had a memorable homecoming, scoring three goals for a hat trick and adding an assist for a 4-point performance.

“Butte is special to me obviously, it was the first place I called home here in the U.S. and where I met a lot of people I consider friends for life,” said Vik. He continued, “Getting my first college hat trick in Butte felt like a full-circle moment, kind of. When I played in Butte, I got my first hat trick in the same rink so that was very special to me and something I will remember. It’s still as cold and loud as I remember it so that was pretty nostalgic to me.”

Tech in action against Providence 

Tech at Providence – Game 2

Game two saw Providence jump out to an early 3-0 lead with a power-play goal, an even-strength goal, and a short-handed goal in the first period. The Argos would extend their lead in the second period with two more power-play goals and an even-strength goal, making it 6-0 heading into the final frame.

“Again, Providence has an incredibly strong group of special teams, both on the power play and penalty kill. They make you pay” Said Rathgeber.

In the third period, Providence added two more goals, one on the power play, to finish off an 8-0 victory.

Kasse started again in goal and faced another heavy barrage, stopping 68 of the 75 shots he faced in the loss.

“Facing that many shots is difficult. It’s like two games in one. The Providence offense was coming from turnovers and good plays coming from them,” said Kasse. 

Kasse, who is the undisputed starter for Tech with Kazmierzcak on the IR, stopped 145 out of 162 shots.

Up Next for the 'Digs

Montana Tech will return to action on Thursday, November 21 as they travel to Utah for the Beehive Showcase Tournament. The Beehive, which hosts teams from all over the western region, takes place in Ogden, Logan, SLC, and Provo. The Diggers open the tournament against Utah Valley University at Peaks Ice Arena in Provo (their 5th and final season meeting), with the game set for 7:25 p.m. MST. The following day, Friday, November 22, Tech will take on Colorado State University at Peaks Ice Arena, with the game scheduled for 4:00 p.m. MST. Tech will wrap up the weekend by playing Arizona State University on Saturday, November 23rd at 4pm at the Eccles Ice Center in Logan, UT, and Cal State Northridge on Sunday, November 24th at 11 am at Peaks Arena in Provo, UT.