UND's Kiersted repeats as NCHC Defender of the Week

University of North Dakota junior defenseman Matt Kiersted has again been named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's Defenseman of the Week. This is the second straight week the honor has been bestowed on Kiersted.

Kiersted continued his offensive productive from the blue line last weekend, helping North Dakota to a split at then-No. 11 Minnesota Duluth. He totaled four points with a goal and an assist each game, as he now has four straight multi-point games, repeating as Defenseman of the Week.
 
In Friday’s opener, Kiersted handed out the primary assist on UND’s second goal, which came on the power play, while he scored UND’s third goal to go up 3-1 in an eventual 7-4 defeat. He also blocked two shots. The next night, Kiersted helped break open a tight game with another primary assist on the game’s first goal early in the second stanza. He then scored his second goal of the weekend midway though the third period to tie the game at 2-2 in an eventual 3-2 victory. He was +2 in Saturday’s win, blocked three more shots and earned Third Star of the Game.
 
Kiersted completed the series with two goals, two assists, a +2 plus/minus and five blocked shots. He also fired three shots on net (scoring on two), committed three minor penalties and played on a penalty kill that finished 5-for-8. He now has nine points (2g, 7a) during his four-game point streak and 23 points (19 assists) on the season, which are second on the team. His 23 points also rank second among NCHC defensemen.

Senior forward Westin Michaud was a nominee for Forward of the Week; Freshman forward Shane Pinto was a nominee for Rookie of the Week; and Junior goalie Peter Thome was a nominee for Goaltender of the Week.