Monday, March 28, 2011

USHL Honors - Week 26

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced the weekly award winners for the 26th week of the 2010-11 USHL regular season.

Congratulations to forward John Siemer of the Waterloo Black Hawks, named CCM Offensive Player of the Week; defenseman Jordan Schmaltz of the Sioux City Musketeers, selected as CCM Defensive Player of the Week; and Matt Skoff of the Sioux City Musketeers who earned honors as the Reebok USHL Goaltender of the Week.

Siemer had a career night when he scored seven points (4g, 3a) for the Black Hawks in Wednesday's victory over Chicago. It was the most points scored in a USHL game since Preston Callander had eight points (4g, 4a) in a game for the Lincoln Stars over a decade ago (October 27th, 2000). Siemer had collected six points in 28 previous games during his first USHL season. The 19-year-old scored a goal in both the first and second period, and then scored two goals in a span of 2:26 in the third period. It was the first four-goal game in the USHL in over a year. All four of his goals came at even strength. The native of Baldwin Park, California currently has 13 points (9g, 4a) in 31 games this season.

Schmaltz recorded six points (3g, 3a) and a plus-four rating to lead the Musketeers to three victories during the week. He assisted on the game-winning goal in Tuesday's 3-1 win against Omaha. The 17-year-old defenseman then had three points (2g, 1a), including the game-winning goal, in Friday's 4-2 victory over Tri-City. Schmaltz finished his week with two points (1g, 1a) in Saturday's 2-0 shutout of Sioux Falls. It is the second straight week and fourth time this season that Schmaltz has won the USHL weekly award. The Verona, Wisconsin native has nine points (4g, 5a) over his last four games and now leads all USHL defensemen in scoring with 34 points (11g, 23a) in 47 games this season.

Skoff was in net for all three Musketeers victories posting a 1.00 goals-against-average and .962 save percentage. He made 25 saves in Tuesday's 3-1 win against Omaha and 24 saves in Friday's 4-2 victory over Tri-City. The 19-year-old then stopped all 27 shots he faced in Saturday's 2-0 win vs. Sioux Falls. It was the fifth shutout of the season for Skoff, tying for the USHL lead. It also set a new Musketeers season record for shutouts, surpassing the mark of four set by Jeff Sanger during the 1997-98 season. Skoff is 6-0-1 over his last seven starts and has totaled 19 wins this season. The McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania native has won 40 games over his two USHL seasons.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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