BEMIDJI, Minn. – No. 12 Michigan Technological University's Blake Pietila turned aside all 25 shots by the (RV) Bemidji State Men's Hockey team Friday night at Sanford Center to claim a 2-0 victory in game one of their Central Collegiate Hockey Association series.
 
The Beavers (11-11-5, 9-7-3 CCHA) were held off the scoresheet for the third time this season by Pietila who collected his NCAA-leading eighth shutout of the season.

Friday night was head coach Tom Serratore's 800th career game in which he was the head coach and he became the 10th active head coach in Division I Men's Hockey to reach the milestone.
 
Neither team could break through in the first period and after 20 minutes, the game was still locked in a scoreless affair. However, the Huskies (19-7-4, 12-5-4) broke through 6:16 into the second period when Jack Works scored his seventh goal of the season to put MTU up 1-0.
 
The league's top defensive team proved why they hold that ranking and suffocated the Beavers' attack. The Beavers out-shot the Huskies 18-11 in the final 20 minutes but their score remained at 0. Michigan Tech sealed the game with an empty-net goal with 1:38 remaining from Nick Nardella for his first goal of the season and earned a crucial three points in the league standings.
 
Bemidji State finished the game out-shooting Michigan Tech 25-19 including 8-5 in the final 20 minutes.
 
Neither team was called for a penalty in the game a rare occasion for college hockey.
 
Sophomore Mattias Sholl turned aside 17-of-18 shots by the Huskies but falls to 9-7-5 this season while Pietila improved to 18-7-3 and remains the leagues' top statistical goaltender.
 
The Beavers will try to crack onto the scoresheet tomorrow night for Make-A-Wish Night and Teddy Bear Toss where Bemidji State Athletics will be honoring a local hero. Fans are encouraged to bring stuffed teddy bears to toss onto the ice after the Beavers' first goal which will all be donated to Family Advocacy of Northern Minnesota. Puck drop for game two versus the Huskies is scheduled for 6:07 p.m., at Sanford Center.
 
For more information on the Bemidji State men's hockey program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on Twitter or Instagram (@BSUBeaversMHKY), or like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers).
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and women's hockey in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
 
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