Image via WikipediaGRAND FORKS, N.D. – Outstanding performances by Brock Nelson and Brendan O’Donnell in a sweep at Alaska Anchorage have netted the North Dakota forwards Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) weekly honors, announced today by the conference office.Nelson was named WCHA Offensive Player of the Week, while O’Donnell garnered WCHA Rookie of the Week honors. It was the second straight week in which Nelson captured at least a share of the award after being named WCHA co-Offensive Player of the Week one week earlier. A sophomore from Warroad, Minn., Nelson collected four goals and an assist in UND’s two wins at UAA last weekend. In Friday’s 5-2 victory, Nelson potted a pair of power-play goals and led all players with eight shots on goal. In Saturday’s 4-1 win, Nelson had two more goals, including the game-winner, and added an assist.
Nelson leads the WCHA with 12 goals during league games and has a team-leading 14 goals overall. His nine power-play goals lead the nation and are more than halfway to the UND single-season record of 17, shared by Ryan Duncan (2006-07) and Doug Smail (1979-80). A first-round draft pick of the New York Islanders in 2010, Nelson has 11 points (7g, 4a) during a current 4-game point streak and has four 2-goal games in his last six outings.
O’Donnell scored a pair of goals on Friday and was a +2, helping spark the eventual UND win. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native scored twice in the game’s opening minutes, with the second goal holding up as the game-winner. A sixth-round draft pick of Tampa Bay in 2010, O’Donnell now has three goals in six games since returning from a six-game injury absence.
Bemidji State senior defenseman Brad Hunt was named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week.
Nelson, O’Donnell and the 19th-ranked Fighting Sioux (8-7-1, 6-6-0 WCHA) host Nebraska Omaha on Friday and Saturday at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
MEN’S HOCKEY – DECEMBER 6, 2011
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