December 1, 2006

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets finished the first half of the season with two impressive wins over Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and Clemson during the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Holiday Tournament at the Duluth Ice Forum.

The Jackets finished the first half 10-4 and won their last three games. They beat MTSU 6-5 in OT and beat Clemson 6-2 in the tourney finale

In game one on Fri 12/1, Tech started strong against MTSU playing almost a flawless first period, scoring three goals and playing sound defense. The team allowed only 6 shots on goal.

The first goal of the period came quickly within 5 minutes of the puck drop on a rebound shot by Dan Sweeney. Tom Porter and Mike Zaucha assisted on the goal.

Goals two and three came on the power play.

The first by Brendan O’Leary (assist to Jeremy Spafard and Sweeney); the 2nd by Sweeney with assist to Austin Kasse.

MTSU got on the board on a rare penalty shot that eluded goalie Nick Rice.

One minute later, Tech responded on another power play goal, this time by d-man B.J. Stapleton who charged the net to put in a rebound from Zaucha.

Tech gave up an easy goal with eight minutes left in the 2nd period to take a two goal lead into the final period.

Tech found the penalty box a friendly place to visit as MTSU scored three power play goals in the third period to tie the game at the end of regulation.

The Yellow Jackets did manage a power play goal of their own in the period on the hat trick goal by Sweeney with assist to Stapleton and Kasse.

That set the stage for an end to end rush by Captain Mike Zaucha who beat the MTSU goalie with two minutes gone in the overtime period to win the game 6-5. MTSU out shot Tech 41-33