UM's Francis, UMD's Gray, UW's Decker Named WCHA Women's Players of the Week for February 3
UMD's Tara Gray is the WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for Feb. 3, 2010 |
||||||
 |
Feb. 3, 2010
Complete Release in PDF Format 
MADISON, Wis. – The Western Collegiate Hockey Association today announced the women’s players of the week for February 3, 2010. They are University of Minnesota forward Brittany Francis on offense, defenseman Tara Gray of the University of Minnesota Duluth on defense, and University of Wisconsin forward Brianna Decker as rookie.
WCHA Offensive Player of the Week
Brittany Francis – Sr., F, Minnesota
The University of Minnesota’s Brittany Francis, a senior right winger from Thunder Bay, Ont., led the scoring charge as she helped the host Golden Gophers to a two-game WCHA series sweep over Minnesota State, Mankato last weekend.
On Friday (Jan. 29), with her team trailing 2-1, Francis set up the only power-play goal of the game when she held the first assist on teammate Emily West’s goal at 5:34 of the second period to tie the game at 2-2. Minnesota went on to win the game 4-2 over the Mavericks.
Then last Saturday (Jan. 30), Francis tied a career high when she scored one goal and drew three assists, contributing on all four of the Golden Gophers’ goals in the 4-1 win over MSU. She was named the First Star of the Game. Francis scored a goal at 13:39 in the first period and proceeded to hold the first assist on each of the Gophers’ next three goals, including two power-play set ups and the game-winner.
Through 28 games played this season, Francis ranks third on the Minnesota team in scoring with 25 points (8g, 17a). Of her 25 points this season, 22 have come against conference opponents.
Also nominated for the award this week were: Annie Bauerfeld, F, BSU; Laura Fridfinnson, F, UMD; Laura McIntosh, F, OSU; and Caitlin Hogan, F, SCSU.
WCHA Defensive Player of the Week
Tara Gray – Jr., D, Minnesota Duluth
University of Minnesota Duluth junior defenseman Tara Gray recorded more points over the Jan. 30-31 weekend in Grand Forks than she did all last season, helping the visiting Bulldogs to a WCHA sweep over North Dakota.
A product of Toronto, Ont., Gray scored two goals and added two assists for four points in the series against the Sioux, including the first three-point performance of her collegiate career last Sunday.
Gray dished an assist on a goal that tied the game at 2-2 in the second period in last Saturday’s 4-3 overtime comeback win for the Bulldogs. She was also a +1.
Then on Sunday, Gray had a hand in three of Minnesota Duluth’s last four goals in a 5-0 shutout victory over UND. She netted her first goal at 15:34 of the second period to push UMD to a 2-0 lead, before assisting on a power-play goal at 19:43 of the second period, a blast from Gray that was redirected in front of the net by teammate Laura Fridfinnson. Gray then scored a PPG of her own with less than 4:00 remaining in the third, giving her the first two-goal game of her career and highest point count in a single game during her three-seasons at UMD. Besides her points, Gray was +3 and helped UMD grab it’s fourth shutout of the season.
Overall, Gray, who had four shots Sunday, was +4 on the weekend. She now has eight points this season (4g, 4a), just two shy of her career season-high of 10 (1g, 9a) set during her freshman season. Her four goals this season already is a career single-season best.
Also nominated for the award this week were: Alana McElhinney, G, BSU; Alyssa Grogan, G, UM; and Kelly Wild, D, OSU.
WCHA Rookie of the Week
Brianna Decker – Fr., F, Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin’s Brianna Decker, a freshman from Dousman, Wis., had a five-point series and her first collegiate hat trick as the Badgers split their two WCHA matchups at Ohio State last weekend.
Decker had a hand in both of Wisconsin’s power-play goals with a goal and an assist last Friday (Jan. 29) night in a 5-4 loss. The Badgers held a 4-3 advantage with less than 4:00 remaining.
In the series finale last Saturday (Jan. 30), Decker scored all of Wisconsin’s goals, including two in the third period, as the Badgers skated to a 3-2 victory over the host Buckeyes to take sole possession of third place in the league standings.
In addition to her five points in the series, Decker also fired 15 shots on goal, including 11 in the victory.
In 19 games played for the Badgers this season, Decker ranks second on the Wisconsin team in both points (21) and goals (12).
Also nominated for the award this week were: Erika Wheelhouse, D, BSU; Becky Kortum, F, UM; Lauren Smith, F, MSU; Hokey Langan, F, OSU; and Callie Dahl, D, SCSU.
|
|
 |
