UW's Dowell, UM's Vannelli, UAA's Olthuis Honored as Red Baron WCHA Players of the Week
Wisconsin's Jake Dowell is the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week |
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Dec. 12, 2006
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Red Baron WCHA Offensive Player of the Week
Jake Dowell
Sr., LW, Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. - University of Wisconsin left winger Jake Dowell, who led the Badgers to their first sweep of the season with a pair of road wins over nationally-ranked North Dakota last weekend, has been named Red Baron WCHA Offensive Player of the Week for Dec. 12-17.
A 6-0, 202-pound senior from Eau Claire, Wis., Dowell scored three goals and drew an assist on a game-winner for four points as the defending national champions completed their second straight road sweep at UND. In a 4-3 victory last Friday (Dec. 8) night in Grand Forks, N.D., Dowell scored a go-ahead unassisted goal at 17;26 of the second period to snap a 2-2 tie. Then last Saturday (Dec. 9), Dowell came back with two more game-tying goals in the first and third periods, followed by an assist on teammate Ross Carlson's eventual game-winner at 16:29 of the final stanza as he Badgers battled back from a 2-1 deficit to win 4-2 and complete the sweep. In addition to his four points, Dowell also fired eight shots on goal and earned a +1 plus-minus rating.
Through 18 games this season, the Chicago Blackhawks' (NHL) draftee leads Wisconsin with 11 goals and is second on the team in points with 13. He is just onegoal away from his previous career high of 12.
Also nominated were: Justin Bourne, F, UAA; Chad Rau, F, CC; Ryan Dingle, F, DU; Tyler Hirsch, F, UM; and Dan Kronick, F, SCSU.
Red Baron WCHA Defensive Player of the Week
Mike Vannelli
Sr., D, Minnesota
MADISON, Wis. - Mike Vannelli, a senior defenseman at the University of Minnesota, has been named Red Baron WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for Dec. 12-17 as a result of his outstanding performance in a 4-1, 5-2 two-game conference road sweep at Michigan Tech. Vannelli also earned the weekly honor on Nov. 28 for his efforts in wins over Michigan and Michigan State.
A 6-2, 186-pound team captain from Mendota Heights, Minn., Vannelli led all Western Collegiate Hockey Association players with four assists over the weekend and also earned a +3 plus-minus rating as the No. 1-ranked Golden Gophers extended their nation's best unbeaten streak to 18 games (15-0-3). Vannelli had two assists in each game against the host Huskies, including one on teammate Ryan Stoa's eventual game-winning goal last Saturday (Dec. 9) evening.
In addition to his four scoring points, Vannelli, helped key a strong team defensive effort that blanked Michigan Tech on all 11 of their power-play chances in the series.
On the season, the Atlanta Thrashers' (NHL) draftee ranks third on the Minnesota team in scoring with 21 points (4g,17a), is second in assists, and he has produced 10 points in his last six games with a goal and nine assists.
Also nominated this week were: Jon Olthuis, G, UAA; and Matt Niskanen, F, UMD.
Red Baron WCHA Rookie of the Week
Jon Olthuis
Fr., G, Alaska Anchorage
MADISON, Wis. - University of Alaska Anchorage goaltender Jon Olthuis, who backstopped the Seawolves to an overtime conference road victory over nationally-ranked Colorado College in his first league start last Friday night, has been named Red Baron WCHA Rookie of the Week for Dec. 12-17.
A 6-3, 196-pound freshman from Neerlandia, Alberta, stopped 44 of 48 shots on goal in visiting UAA's 5-4 overtime victory over the eighth-ranked CC Tigers on Dec. 8 to earn his first collegiate victory. He blanked the Tigers on all 10 of their power-play chances, had save totals of 17 in the first period, 12 in the second, 13 in the third and two in overtime while recording a .917 saves percentage. In addition, Olthuis assisted on teammate Josh Lunden's game-opening goal at 3:45 of the first period.
Alaska Anchorage, sporting a 8-6-2 overall record and 6-6-0 mark in WCHA play so far this season, returns home this week to play host to league rival Denver in a two-game series at Sullivan Arena.
Also nominated for the award this week were: Brian Connelly, D, CC; Tyler Ruegsegger, F, DU; Kyle Okposo, F, UM; and Andreas Nodl, F, SCSU.
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