Monday, March 29, 2010

USHL Honors - Week 26

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced the weekly award winners for the 26th week of the 2009-10 USHL regular season.

Congratulations to forward Tyler Barnes of the Waterloo Black Hawks, named Reebok Offensive Player of the Week; defenseman Danny Wurden of the Sioux City Musketeers, selected as CCM Defensive Player of the Week; and Willie Yanakeff of the Waterloo Black Hawks who earned honors as the USHL Goaltender of the Week.

Barnes scored five points (4g, 1a) as the Black Hawks won two of three games during the week to qualify for the postseason. He tallied two goals (1 shorthanded, 1 power play) in a span of 1:30 during the second period of the 5-3 loss to Sioux Falls on Wednesday. The Eagan, Minnesota native recorded his second consecutive multi-goal game when he netted two power play goals in the 4-0 victory over Des Moines on Friday. Barnes completed his week assisting on the game-winning goal in the 4-0 shutout against Cedar Rapids on Saturday. The 20-year-old is third on his team in scoring with 66 points (34g, 32a) while playing in all 58 games this season. He currently ranks second in the USHL in both goals (34) and power play goals (14).

Wurden registered three points (3a) and a plus-three rating as the Musketeers won two of three games during the week to pull within one point of the fourth and final playoff spot in the West Division. He assisted on the first goal of the game in the 2-1 win against Tri-City on Tuesday. The 20-year-old then assisted on the game-winning goal during Friday's 2-1 victory over Chicago. Wurden made it three straight games with a point when he dished out an assist during the 2-1 loss to Omaha on Saturday. The Fargo, North Dakota native is playing in his fourth USHL season in Sioux City. He has registered 20 points (4g, 16a) in 55 games this season, notching career highs in goals, assists, and points.

Yanakeff posted back-to-back shutouts to help the Black Hawks clinch a playoff berth for the fourth consecutive season. He made the start in all three games during the week earning a 1.34 goals-against-average and a .949 save percentage. The Jerome, Michigan native turned away all 23 shots he faced in the 4-0 win vs. Des Moines on Friday to record his first career USHL shutout. Yanakeff followed up with a 33-save shutout in the 4-0 victory over Cedar Rapids on Saturday to post his 10th victory of the season. The 17-year-old is playing in his first USHL season and has compiled a 10-8-0 record in 21 appearances split between Waterloo and Sioux City.

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

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