For the second time this season, Gophers goalie Alex Kangas has been named the WCHA Rookie of the Week. He had 26 saves last Friday as the U tied Alaska-Anchorage 2-2 in overtime and had 26 more on Saturday in the U’s 4-1 victory.

The Seawolves were 0-for-10 on power plays.

In his 12 consecutive starts mid-January, Kangas is only 3-3-6 but has great numbers otherwise. He has a 1.91 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage. He is playing so well, coach Don Lucia is probably not even tempted to give Jeff Frazee another chance. Also nominated for the award was CC goalie Richard Bachman, who has been super in the nets all season for the Tigers.

The WCHA’s Offensive Player of the Week was CC defenseman Jack Hillen (a Holy Angels grad). He had two goals and two assists as the Tigers rallied from a 2-0 deficit to beat Minnesota State Mankato 5-2 last Friday.

Senior goalie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux of North Dakota was the Defensive Player of the Week. He stopped 50 of 51 shots as the Fighting Sioux swept Minnesota Duluth 2-0 and 2-1 in overtime. North Dakota has a 15-game unbeaten streak (14-0-1) and moved up to No. 1 in the national polls. Gophers defenseman Derek Peltier also was nominated for this award; he had two goals on Friday against the Seawolves.

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