MSU’s McClure earns WCHA recognition

Minnesota State freshman tabbed as league’s Rookie of the Week

WCHA Offensive Player of the Week
Ben Murphy – Junior, Forward
Bowling Green State University

Murphy tied for the WCHA lead with three points on two goals and an assist, twice sparking comebacks as No. 8 Bowling Green rallied for a pair of one-goal victories over visiting Ferris State. In the series opener, Murphy’s second-period backhander tied the score 1-1 and set the stage for a 2-1 Falcons victory. Saturday night, he scored the game-tying goal just 5:49 into the third, before BGSU potted the game-winner just 80 seconds later. The junior from Duxbury, Mass. also assisted on the Falcons’ first goal Saturday night and finished with a +3 rating.

Also nominated: Teddy Blueger, Jr., F, Minnesota State; Garrick Perry, Sr., F, Alaska

WCHA Defensive Player of the Week
Riley Sweeney – Senior, Defenseman
Michigan Technological University

Sweeney earned Winter Carnival MVP honors after his scoring his first two goals of the season in No. 5 Michigan Tech’s sweep of visiting Bemidji State. The senior from Delta, British Columbia scored on the only two shots he took all weekend, netting a shorthanded strike Friday and an even strength goal Saturday. Sweeney, whose 146 career games played lead the team, also keyed a Huskies’ defense that allowed just two goals in a pair of tightly-contested victories.

Also nominated: Tommy Burke, Jr., G, Bowling Green; Sean Cahill, Sr., G, Alaska; Stephon Williams, Jr., G, Minnesota State

WCHA Rookie of the Week
Brad McClure – Freshman, Forward
Minnesota State University

McClure tied for the WCHA lead with three points this past weekend, recording a trio of assists as No. 1 Minnesota State swept visiting Alaska Anchorage. The freshman from Stratford, Ontario assisted on the game-winning goal on both nights, helping Casey Nelson on Friday and Teddy Blueger on Saturday. He also assisted on a power-play goal and finished the weekend with a +3 rating. McClure is tied for 19th in the nation in freshmen scoring with 19 points on the season (eight goals, 11 assists).

Also nominated: Gordon Defiel, G, Lake Superior State; Tyler Dorantes, D, Ferris State; Dylan Steman, F, Michigan Tech