USHL Honors - Week 7

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced the CCM and Reebok player awards for the seventh week of the 2012-13 USHL regular season.

Award winners include Mike Szmatula of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, named CCM Forward of the Week; Ben Ostlie of the Omaha Lancers, selected as CCM Defenseman of the Week; and Alex Lyon of the Omaha Lancers and Charlie Lindgren of the Sioux Falls Stampede who share honors as Reebok Goaltender of the Week.

Szmatula had a hand in eight of the 10 goals for the Saints over two weekend victories against Muskegon.  He scored the game-winning goal and dished out two assists in Friday’s 5-1 victory.  The 20-year-old then recorded a USHL career high five points (3g, 2a) in Saturday’s 5-3 win which included his first hat trick in the League.  Szmatula also finished the night with a game high plus-four rating.  He is currently riding a nine-game point streak which has included goals in each of the last five contests.  The Commerce Township, Michigan native is tied for the USHL scoring lead with 23 points (12g, 11a) in 14 games.

Ostlie dished out three assists and posted a plus-four rating in two wins for the Lancers.  He also helped Omaha limit their opponents to just two goals over the weekend.  The 19-year-old had two assists in Friday’s 6-1 victory against Waterloo.  Ostlie then had one assist in the 3-1 win over Cedar Rapids on Saturday.  He was also part of a penalty killing unit that turned away 8-of-9 opponent power plays.  The Edina, Minnesota native has collected five points (1g, 4a) through 15 games.

Lindgren posted a 1.00 goals-against-average and .957 save percentage while in net for two Stampede wins.  He stopped all 18 shots he faced in Friday’s 5-0 victory over Tri-City to earn his first USHL career shutout.  Lindgren then made 26 saves in the 5-2 win against Lincoln on Saturday to record the 15^th career victory in a Stampede uniform.  The 18-year-old from Lakeville, Minnesota has won four of his last five starts and is now fifth among USHL goaltenders with six victories this season.

Lyon allowed just two goals and posted a .963 SV% to lead the Lancers to a pair of victories.  He made 32 saves and held the League’s top offense to just one goal in Friday’s 6-1 victory against Waterloo.  The 19-year-old then stopped 20 shots in the 3-1 win over Cedar Rapids on Saturday.  Lyon has appeared in 13 games and the Baudette, Minnesota native leads all USHL goaltenders in minutes played (780).  He has posted a 1.38 GAA and .943 SV% over his five victories this season.


 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)