Pietila & Team USA off to WJHC finals
Courtesy of MTU Athletics
UFA, Russia — Team USA defeated Team Canada 5-1 today in the semifinals of the IIHF World Junior Championship. Michigan Tech forward Blake Pietila <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2012-13/bios/pietila%20blake00.html> (Milford, Mich.) and the U.S. will play for the gold medal vs. Sweden Saturday (Jan. 5) at 8 a.m. ET (7 p.m. Ufa time).
Pietila has played in all six games for the American side in the tournament with two assists. The left wing has been a huge part of Team USA’s penalty kill, which is a tournament best 92 percent (23-of-25). Pietila also owns a plus-minus rating of plus five, which is among the best on the team.
The 11th Michigan Tech player to don a U.S. sweater at the World Juniors, Pietila will become the first to earn a medal as the Americans are guaranteed at least a silver.
All games at the World Juniors can be seen on NHL Network (DirectTV 215, Dish 403) or NHL.com.