The Huskies return to the GLI championship game for the second-straight season after defeating the Wolverines, 2-0, in the first semifinal of the day. Sophomore defenseman Dane Birks' first period goal was the first of his career and served as the game-winner for the Huskies, who outshot the Wolverines 38-22. Goaltender Angus Redmond recorded his second shutout of the season and continued his stellar freshman campaign, while defenseman Cliff Watson's first goal of the year at 8:41 of the second helped solidify the win. Michigan Tech has now advanced to the championship game in four of the past five seasons and will look to win its first MacInnes Cup since 2012.
No. 16 Western Michigan secured its spot in the GLI championship game with a 4-1 victory over Michigan State in the day's second semifinal in front of a two-game total of 18,774 fans. WMU's power play was dominant, converting all four of its goals during seven man-advantage opportunities on the night. First period goals from Jade McMullen and Sheldon Dries gave the Broncos a lead they would never relinquish. The Spartans got on the board in the second with a Mason Appleton power-play goal, but Griffen Molino and Matheson Iacopelli, who tallied his team-leading 14th goal, extended WMU's lead. Ben Blacker made 29 saves in WMU's win and Iacopelli, Corey Schueneman and Cam Lee all registered multi-point nights.
The Broncos and Huskies also met in the championship game of the 2013 Great Lakes Invitational, which was held at Comerica Park as part of the Hockeytown Winter Festival. Western Michigan won the GLI championship during their last tournament appearance, taking a 1-0 overtime win over Michigan Tech to claim the MacInnes Cup for the first time since 1986.
Tickets to see tomorrow's GLI championship and third-place game start at $18 and are on sale now at the Joe Louis Arena Box Office (313-471-7575), all Ticketmaster (800-745-3000) outlets and online at
www.olympiaentertainment.com
. Little Caesars Family 4-Packs are also available for Day 2 of the GLI, featuring four tickets, four slices of pizza or hot dogs and four soft drinks, starting at $49.
