Montana Tech Hockey Struggles in Road Series Against Williston State College

Montana Tech University (Tech) Hockey played the Williston State College (WSC) Tetons in three tough road games - 2 of which took place in Williston, North Dakota and the third in Sidney, Montana this past weekend. Tech lost 11-2 in game one,  7-1 in game two, and 10-1 in game three. The game in Sidney is an annual tradition by the Tetons, who help to grow the game of hockey in the region. 

Game 1: Tech at Williston State

WSC surged out of the gate with a six-goal scoring spree against Tech in the first, who appeared to be suffering from the travel day. Tech seemed to find a better groove in the second period; however, the Tetons potted three more goals, one on the power play and another at full strength. 

Then, in the third period, after giving up a Teton goal. Tech’s Riley Kelly, who had multiple opportunities all night while on the penalty kill, could finally score Tech’s first goal in a short-handed situation on a breakaway. Tech’s special teams would hit again as Mike McKay would score Tech’s second goal while on the Power Play after taking a pass from Connor Johnson near the end of the game. However, the Teton offense kept rolling, netting 2 more, both on the power play, in the 3rd frame for a final score of 11 - 2. 

In net, Edward Kazmierczak started the game and made nine saves on 15 shots before suffering a minor wrist injury and being replaced in the first by Brecken Kasse, who made 24 saves on 29 shots in his relief performance.

Game 2: Tech at Williston State

The second match-up with WSC started with the Tetons going on another big scoring run, with three goals in the first and second periods. In the third period, Montana Tech locked down and allowed just one goal in the final period, keeping the Tetons at seven goals for the game. 

Tech would get on the board for their only goal, coming in the third off a Cade Holland goal from a Rye Vincent assist.

Although another rough outing, the Diggers went 8/8 on the penalty kill (an improvement over Friday nights 4/8), and 1/4 on the powerplay.

Brecken Kasse would get the start in net and make 58 saves on 65 shots in another busy night. 

“I think we are slowly getting closer and closer to playing better as a team. Playing in Williston was a little rough. There was a big turnout, and the opposing student section was trash-talking, but we all laughed it off and stayed focused,” said Kasse.

Game 3:  Tech vs Williston State at Sidney

Game three on Sunday was played in Sidney Montana, in the eastern part of the state. The Tetons have aimed to host at least 1 game in the Rangers arena, as the club is dedicated to growing youth hockey in the area. Although fans were primarily supporting WSC, there were a handful of Tech jerseys in the stands donned by Montana Tech Alumni, one of which being a former player (Alex Kober). WSC would top Tech, 10-1. 

Goalie Eddie Kazmierzcak would get the start and Montana Tech started the game with high offensive drive, outshooting the Tetons for the first half of the period.  However, after some penalty trouble, momentum shifted in the Tetons corner, and they scored with just over 5 minutes remaining in the opening frame.

The Tetons would end up short-handed early in the second frame - however, the Diggers had trouble regrouping on a breakout and caused a turnover, leading to a shorthanded goal 30 seconds into the frame. The Tetons would go on to score five goals, in the period, with their special teams besting the Diggers. The Tetons would lead 6 - 0 after 40 minutes, with two short-handed goals and one power-play goal. Near the end of the second period, Kazmierzcak suffered a concussion on an errant high-stick while playing the puck and would leave the game and be placed on IR.

With Tech reeling, the Tetons continued to apply offensive pressure, scoring four more goals, one of which coming on the power play.  Colin McCarthy would score Tech’s only goal off a pass from Sawyer Inman with nearly three minutes left, ending Tetons goalie Sheldon Biggley’s shutout bid

Edward Kazmierczak made 25 saves on 30 shots before leaving due to injury, and Brecken Kasse made 17 saves on 22 shots after filling in. 

“I think the difference maker in this game was the Tetons goalie, who stood tall in the first period. He made a handful of really clutch saves that could have changed the dynamic of this game.  I think we came out of sync in the second, and we suffered the rest of the game for it. Losing Eddie is a big hit, too,” Noted Coach Rathgeber.

“I think we could’ve played a lot better than we did. I think there was a major difference in discipline for penalties. We are slowly getting better with it, but we aren’t quite there,” said Kazmierczak.