DEEPHAVEN, Minn. - Lake Superior State hockey first-year player Branden Piku (Harrison Twp., Mich.) has been named the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Rookie of the Week, as announced.

Piku scored twice in the Lakers' 4-1 victory over the Ferris State Bulldogs on Friday. he tied Jared Westcott (Imperial, Mo.) for the team-lead in game-winning goals with his third of the season, and he would follow that up with a highlight-reel worthy strike after turning 360 degrees while receiving a pass from Connor Milburn (Kamloops, B.C.) and proceeded to fire the puck between the legs of Bulldog goaltender Noah Giesbrecht for his second on the night. Piku finished the game with a +2 rating to move him to +7 on the season.

Piku and the Lakers will now turn their attention to the opening round of the CCHA Mason Cup Playoffs where they will take on the St. Thomas Tommies with puck drop for game one scheduled for 7:07 p.m. Central Standard Time on Friday, March 8.