EDINA, Minn. – Jan. 12, 2015 – For their efforts in leading their teams to a pair of league sweeps this past weekend, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) men’s Players of the Week for games of Jan. 8-10, 2015 are: Ferris State senior forward Justin Buzzeo (Offensive Player of the Week), Bemidji State freshman goaltender Michael Bitzer (Defensive Player of the Week) and Bemidji State freshman forward Kyle Bauman (Rookie of the Week).
WCHA Offensive Player of the Week
Justin Buzzeo, Sr., F, Ferris State (Windsor, Ontario)
Buzzeo had a big weekend in leading Ferris State to a WCHA road sweep at Alaska Anchorage, finishing with three goals (on five shots), two assists and a team-best +5 rating. The senior from Windsor, Ontario picked up an assist on the game-winning goal in FSU’s 4-1, Thursday night victory, before adding his own score in the third period. Buzzeo factored in all three Bulldog goals in a 3-2 triumph Saturday, assisting on the first before netting a pair of strikes in the third period – including the game-winner. His efforts helped lift Ferris State into sole possession of fourth place in the WCHA standings.
Also nominated: Alex Globke, So., F, Lake Superior State; Ben Murphy, Jr., F, Bowling Green; Alex Petan, Jr., F, Michigan Tech
WCHA Defensive Player of the Week
Michael Bitzer, Fr., G, Bemidji State (Moorhead, MN)
Bitzer recorded 119:55 of scoreless hockey and posted consecutive shutouts to lead Bemidji State to a WCHA series sweep over rival Alabama Huntsville. The freshman from Moorhead, Minn. turned aside all 42 shots faced over the weekend in a pair of 4-0 victories, his first two collegiate shutouts. Bitzer, who made 18 saves Friday and 14 on Saturday, backstopped a BSU penalty-kill unit that held the Chargers scoreless on seven power-play opportunities. He is now riding a scoreless streak of 179 minutes and 23 seconds, dating back to the first period of the Beavers’ Dec. 13 contest.
Also nominated: Brock Maschmeyer, So., D, Northern Michigan; CJ Motte, Sr., G, Ferris State; Ryan Renz, Fr., D, Lake Superior State; Sean Walker, So., D, Bowling Green
WCHA Rookie of the Week
Kyle Bauman, F, Bemidji State (Apopka, Fla.)
Baumann helped Bemidji State to a sweep of WCHA rival Alabama Huntsville by factoring in both game-winning goals, tallying three points (tied for tops among all league rookies) and finishing with a +3 rating (best among WCHA freshmen last weekend). The rookie from Apopka, Fla. assisted on the game-winning score Friday evening and then scored his first collegiate goal with a second-period strike. On Saturday, Baumann’s first period goal served as the deciding score in the Beavers’ second consecutive 4-0 win. Baumann’s two goals came on five shots, while he also added a block.
Also nominated: C.J. Franklin, F, Minnesota State; Matt Roy, D, Michigan Tech
