Okposo, Goligoski help U.S. rout France in World Championships

Forward Kyle Okposo scored two goals and defenseman Alex Goligoski, another ex-Gopher, had two assists as the U.S. beat France 7-2 on Friday in its first game in the IIHF World Championships.

The U.S. plays Canada next at 11 a.m. Saturday. That game will be shown on the NBC Sports Network on tape delay at 6:30 p.m.

Justin Faulk, another Minnesotan, also had a big game for the U.S. against the French. The former UMD defenseman had three assists.

For the USA Hockey story click here.

AWARDS TIME

The Gophers hockey awards banquet is Friday. Winners will be posted on this blog as soon as they are available.

Other WCHA teams have already announced their award winners.

MVP - Austin Lee, senior goalie from Bloomington. He was a four-year letterwinner was one of a handful of players in the history of the league who have accrued four WCHA All-Academic and four WCHA Scholar-Athlete awards...Had 56 saves in MSU's double-overtime loss at Minnesota Duluth in the first round of the WCHA playoffs, marking the most saves in a game by a MSU goaltender during its NCAA Division I era...Completed MSU career with a 16-32-3 won-loss mark, along with a .909 save percentage and a 2.89 goals against average.

Leadership & unsung hero awards - Joe Schiller, senior forward from Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Most improved player (tie) - Mat Knoll, freshman defenseman from Edmonton, Alberta, and Johnny McInnis, sophomore forward from Boston

Best hustle award - Adam Mueller, senior forward from Roseville

At WIsconsin

He finished the season with 16 goals and 44 points to lead the nation's defensemen in scoring for the second-consecutive season. He was a team-best plus-11 in 37 games played.

Most Improved player– Brendan Woods, freshman forward from Fairfax, Va.

Most Competitive, hits leader and academic/athletic awards – Ryan Little, redshirt junior forward from Fond du Lac, Wis.

7th man award – Eric Springer, senior defenseman from Wrightstown, Wis.

Blocked shots leader - Frankie Simonelli, sophomore defenseman from Bensenville, Ill.

Faceoffs Leader - Mark Zengerle, sophomore forward from Rochester, N.Y.

The Fighting Sioux held their Night of Champions, and the winners were:

Female Athlete of the Year: Jocelyne Lamoureux, junior, hockey. She was a top-three finalist for the Patty Kazamaier Award (best player in NCAA women's hockey) and was an American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) first-team All-American, becoming the first player in program history to receive either honor.

She led the nation in scoring with a school-record 82 points while also establishing UND records for goals (34) and assists (48). A team captain and a Grand Forks native, Lamoureux helped UND land its first NCAA postseason berth. Following the season, she helped the United States win the silver medal at the 2012 IIHF World Hockey Championship.

In the classroom, Lamoureux is a physical education, exercise science and wellness major. She was named the WCHA Most Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year, a WCHA Scholar-Athlete and a WCHA All-Academic selection.

Male Athlete of the Year: Chris Stoks, senior, sprinter in men's track.

Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Brad Eidsness, graduate student, hockey

Female Rookie of the Year: Michelle Karvinen, hockey

Male Rookie of the Year: Daryl Brown, football

Female Unsung Hero: Tia Russell, senior, volleyball

Male Unsung Hero: Dominique Hawkins, senior, football

Male Sioux Service Award: Brett Cameron, junior, football

Female Team Community Service Award: softball

Male Team Community Service Award: Football