Tech's Pietila Boys Celebate Birthday With 3-0 Win

This story was written by NMU Sports Information. (MTU Athletics photo)

Houghton, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University men's hockey team dropped game one against the Michigan Tech Huskies Friday night in Houghton by a score of 3-0. The two teams will have a rematch Saturday night in Marquette.

The Wildcats fall to 12-13-0, 8-9-0, and the Huskies improve to 17-7-4, 10-5-4.

Blake Pietila picked up his seventh shutout of the year (and 17th of his career), and his twin brother Logan scored a goal as the twins celebrated their birthday. Tech outshot NMU 36-20 and six different Huskies got at least one point.

The 'Cats were blanked for the second time this season, were outshot 20-36, and went 23/55 in the faceoff circle. Both teams' penalty kills were perfect, with NMU killing 3/3 and MTU going 4/4. The 'Cats blocked 17 shots to the Huskies' eight blocks, and Beni Halasz made 33 saves and posted a .943 save%.

The Wildcats were outshot 20-36, dropping to 5-9-0 when being outshot by an opponent and 4-8-0 when allowing the first goal.
Beni Halasz made 33 saves and posted a .942 save%.
Joey Larson and AJ Vanderbeck led the 'Cats with three shots each, Artem Shlaine was 7/8 in the faceoff circle and David Keefer was a perfect 5/5.
The Wildcats are now 0-5-0 when both AJ Vanderbeck and Andre Ghantous are held off the score sheet.
The 'Cats are now 0-9-0 when trailing after two periods this season..

Goal Summary
1st Period
None

2nd Period
12:52 - Tyrone Bronte (MTU, 0-1) - Assisted by Nick Nardella.

3rd Period
17:31 - Logan Pietila (MTU, 0-2) - Assisted by Kyle Kukkonen and Ryland Mosley.
19:38 - Ryland Mosley (MTU ENG, 0-3) - Assisted by Kyle Kukkonen and Jed Pietila.

Up Next
The 'Cats host the Huskies tomorrow on home ice at 6:07 p.m.