Two Huskies share weekly WCHA award

EDINA, Minn. – Michigan Tech hockey co-captains Tanner Kero and Blake Pietila were named WCHA Co-Offensive Players of the Week on Tuesday (Feb. 3). Both players had five points in Tech’s series sweep of Alabama Huntsville and both players notched their 100th career point on Saturday to become the 61st and 62nd players in Tech history to join the Century Club.

Kero, a senior forward from Hancock Mich., had an assist Friday and four points Saturday on two goals and two assists. His third period assist on Brent Baltus‘ goal gave him 100. For his career, he has 48 goals and 52 assists in 140 games. Kero is on a four-game point streak with three goals and five assists. He is currently Tech’s offensive leader with 35 points on 13 goals and 22 assists. Kero ranks sixth in the country in points to lead the WCHA.

Pietila, a senior forward from Brighton, Mich., is on a six-game point streak. He has racked up five goals and six assists in the span. The New Jersey Devils draft pick had a goal and an assist on Friday and three assists Saturday. Pietila’s third period assist on Joel L’Esperance‘s goal gave him 100 points. He has 43 goals and 57 assists in 141 games. This season, he has 11 goals and 13 assists. Pietila has the eighth most faceoff wins in the country (325) and ranks 13th in faceoff win percentage (60.1).

Michigan Tech is 20-7-1 overall, 15-4-1 in the WCHA and ranked No. 5 this week. The Huskies continues their nine-game home stand this weekend against Bemidji State for the annual Winter Carnival series. Friday’s game starts at 7:07 p.m. with a special 5:07 p.m. puck drop for Saturday. The two teams will play for the MacInnes Cup given annually to the total goal winner of the series.

(Information/Photo Courtesy of MTU Athletics)