Monday, December 14, 2009

USHL Honors - Week Eleven

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced the weekly award winners for the 11th week of the 2009-10 USHL regular season.

Congratulations to forward Michael Voran of the Sioux Falls Stampede, named Reebok Offensive Player of the Week; defenseman Mathieu Brisson of the Omaha Lancers, selected as CCM Defensive Player of the Week; and both Cab Morris of the Indiana Ice and Matt Skoff of the Sioux City Musketeers who share honors as the USHL Goaltender of the Week.

Voran registered seven points (2g, 5a) and a plus-three rating as the Stampede collected a pair of victories during the week. The native of Livonia, Michigan dished out two assists in the 5-0 shutout of Fargo on Wednesday. On Friday, he tallied three points (2g, 1a), including the game-winning goal, in the 8-2 victory over Cedar Rapids. Voran, 19, rounded out his week assisting on both Sioux Falls goals in Saturday's 9-2 loss to Omaha. The first-year USHL forward is currently riding a six-game point streak with 11 points (6g, 5a) during that span. He leads the Stampede in scoring this season with 28 points (12g, 16a) which also ranks sixth in the USHL.

Brisson recorded four points (1g, 3a) and a plus-three rating as the Lancers earned three of a possible four points in the standings over the weekend. The defenseman collected two assists in Friday's 4-3 shootout loss to Tri-City. The native of Longueuil, Quebec then recorded two points (1g, 1a) in the 9-2 victory over Sioux Falls on Saturday. His goal proved to be the game-winner and extended his point streak to three games. The 17-year-old is competing in his first USHL season and has registered nine points (3g, 6a) and a plus-six rating while appearing in all 24 games for Omaha this season.

Morris posted a 1.44 goals-against-average and a .955 save percentage in two victories for Indiana. On Thursday, he stopped all 23 shots by Youngstown to record his League-leading third shutout of the season. The 18-year-old from Wilmette, Illinois then turned away 40 shots and all four attempts in the shootout to record his 10th victory in Saturday's 4-3 shootout victory over Lincoln. It is the second weekly honor for Morris this season who currently leads all USHL goaltenders with a 2.01 GAA and .926 SV%.

Skoff registered a 1.45 GAA and a .954 SV% as he helped the Sioux City Musketeers claim two road victories over the weekend. The McKees Rock, Pennsylvania native stopped 33 shots on Friday in the 3-2 overtime win vs. Chicago. The next evening, he turned away 29 shots in the 3-1 win over Green Bay. Playing in his first USHL season, the 18-year-old has won four of his last five starts, all of which has come on the road. Skoff has posted a 2.82 GAA this season which ranks tied for seventh among USHL goaltenders.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

No comments: