BEMIDJI — In key moments, the influence of veteran players can never be ignored. Blake Pietila is living proof.
The solid goaltender had plenty of memorable moments throughout his five-year career at Michigan Tech, but none of them matched the one that happened Friday night.
Experience, calmness, whatever you want to call it, Pietila had it.
In his final game against a CCHA opponent, Pietila posted the biggest mark to date in the league he calls home since its return in 2021, stopping 34 shots in a 2-1 win over the Huskies. He won his first Mason Cup. -Seed Bemidji State.
“It's comparable to my favorite win ever,” Pietila said. She said: “We had some heartbreaks in Mankato in the playoff semifinals, but this group was so close, so this is very special.
“Words can't describe what it's like to go through the challenges of this year and finally get it done. It feels amazing.”
By Pietila's standards, the 2023-24 season was an “off year” for the veteran Tendi.
But Pietila's standards are otherworldly.
Sure, his points average (2.28) and winning percentage (.583) are at season lows, but there's no disputing that this isn't the best hockey of Pietila's five-year college career. right.
Since Jan. 11, Pietila has started every game for the Huskies (19-14-6), who have won seven of their last eight games heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Pietila was nearly unbeatable through those eight games, posting three shutouts, a 1.38 GAA, and a .944 save percentage.
But none of those games were bigger than the one in which he went on the road Friday night and silenced a Bemidji team that was unbeaten in 11 games. It was Pietila who poured water on the Beavers' fire, swallowing numerous pucks and limiting rebound opportunities time and time again.
He took 17 shots on the late penalty kill and in the final period alone, but as the final buzzer rang at Sanford Center, Pietila took off his gloves and joined his teammates in a raucous celebration. I was mangled.
“It's unbelievable. I can't explain it,” Pietila said. “I've been here five years and this is the first time we've won a playoff championship. So it's really special.
“It's going to be fun tonight because I'm going to rewind the video and see everyone's reactions individually.”
Brent Cizek Photography
Pietila's decision to return for a fifth year was made with some trepidation. With the addition of a young core to the team, no one really knew what to make of the Huskies. Still, although they were voted the favorite to win the conference in preseason polls, they struggled early in the season.
Growing pains kept MTU winless through the first month of the season, going 0-4-3, but gradually the Huskies gained momentum and began to find their identity.
They went 6-2 through November, then defeated the then No. 1 team in a shootout in December, giving them a 3-2-1 record. Michigan State takes seventh place in the Great Lakes Invitational championship game, with Pietila's 54 saves giving Michigan Tech a much-needed reset to begin the stretch run after a crucial week off in February fulfilled.
Since then, the Huskies have outscored their opponents 31-12 in their last eight games and have only fallen behind 60 minutes once.
“This group's leadership and desire to continue playing and sharing more experiences is felt every time we go to the rink,” MTU coach Joe Shohan said. “So much love and respect for them. I couldn't ask for better guys to be around.”
Pietila's decision to return in 2023-2024 was ultimately tied to the wishes of his twin brother Logan. They wanted to try again while getting the chance to share the ice with his younger brother Chase.
Nothing can dull this moment.
“It's really special. That's the cherry on top,” Blake Pietila said. “I took a photo of just the two of us. [Logan]. It's been a long road, a long five years, but it's really special to finally be able to come out on top in this group.
“I couldn’t be more grateful to play for this coaching staff, this team and this university.”
Momentum appeared to be tilting in the Beavers' favor with 4:58 left in Friday's game, but the Beavers committed the first and only penalty of the game to put pressure on the Huskies.
Brent Cizek Photography
As fate would have it, MTU didn't need much from Blake Pietila. He secured the shots he faced and watched the penalty killer in front of him do most of the heavy lifting.
“It’s so easy to play in front of him,” said MTU senior Ryland Mosley, whose second-period goal was the game-winner. “We just tried to box out and try not to get anybody near the net or tilt it, so we just tried to make good plays in front of him.
“We know he’s going to make the first save and most of the time he’s going to make the second and third save as well.”
A microcosm of the Huskies' overall progress, it was a moment that showcased everything Shawhan has seen from the team's maturation over the last month.
“Their work on the penalty kill with 4 1/2 minutes left was phenomenal,” said Shawhan, whose team leads the CCHA in points allowed per game (2.5). “We win from goal line outs. We win from defensive games. … The growth of our defensive core has been tremendous.”
The evolution of MTU's defense this season is certainly noteworthy, but its foundation has not wavered in four years.
Pietila has appeared in 135 games since taking over as starter in the 2020-21 season. He has a 76-45-11 record with a career 2.09 GAA and .922 save percentage in four years as a starter.
“He gets better every time he steps on the ice,” Shawhan said of the veteran goaltender. “He's great in practice. He's great in the classroom. He's great in the community.
“Being a goaltender, people don't notice the little things that I appreciate. I'm a former goaltender and I wasn't even close to his class of talent, but I was impressed with how he handled himself. , if you calmly observe how they challenge themselves and their competitiveness, you will find that these guys are all the same. Their personalities are unique, but they give their best to each other. They're all great young guys, but it's going to be fun to watch Blake evolve.”
Brent Cizek Photography
The Huskies will be in the NCAA Tournament for the third year in a row, and Shawhan credits the leadership of his seven seniors for guiding them along the way.
That feat may go unnoticed for now, as Michigan Tech attempts to accomplish something no team has accomplished in 43 years: win a game in the national tournament.
The Huskies will likely earn the No. 16 seed, but the nature of playoff hockey bodes well for a goaltender like Pietila.
During this period, the margins are tighter, the chances are greater, and veteran players have an even greater impact.
“This was just a one-shot game. We just happened to get it,” Shawhan said, “and our goaltending was phenomenal as usual.”
Brent Cizek Photography
