FAIRBANKS - The Nanooks hockey team earned a pair of national honors on Friday, Dec. 5 as they earned the Independent Player of the Week and Independent Co-Goalie of the Week. Michael Citara earned the player of the week honor and Lassi Lehti earned the goalie nod. 

Michael Citara put together a strong month for the blue and gold leading them with seven points in four games. The 1.75 points per game led the Nanooks to a 2-1-1 record in the month, and an Adirondack Winter Invitational championship over Thanksgiving break. He finished the month with seven points on three goals and four assists, with all three goals coming in the Adirondack tournament in Lake Placid, N.Y. Two of his three goals came in the championship game against Clarkson, a 3-2 Nanooks win while his third came in the semifinals game against St. Lawrence, a 2-0 win. "Mikey has earned this honor due to his stellar play," said head coach Erik Largen. "He scored clutch goals for us all week and helped in leading us to the Adirondack championship." 

Citara now leads the Nanooks with 14 points in 13 games this season tallying seven assists and seven goals. This is Citara's first Independent honor as a Nanook. 

In that same period, Lassi Lehti posted a 2-0-1 record in net for the Nanooks, including a shutout of St. Lawrence in the semifinals of the Adirondack Winter Invitational. At No. 5 Quinnipiac on Nov. 4, Lehti earned a tie, and a shootout win after stopping 39 shots in the 2-2 OTT/SOW. This helped the Nanooks end the season series against QU 1-0-1 after upsetting them earlier this season in Tempe, Ariz. at the Icebreaker Tournament. Following the tie, Lehti started both games in Lake Placid, shutting SLU out 2-0 with 19 saves, and defeating Clarkson behind 21 saves in the 3-2 championship game victory. "Lassi continues to be a leader both on and off the ice," continued Largen. "He has given us a chance to win every night and it is great to see him win this honor." 

This season, Lehti has played in 10 games, starting all 10. He is 4-5-1-1 in net with a 2.44 GAA and .926 save percentage. This is his second career Independent monthly honor.

The Nanooks return to action tomorrow night at home against Grand Canyon in an exhibition game. 

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