Kyle Rau of the Gophers is the WCHA's rookie of the week. The 5-8, 173-pound freshman from Eden Prairie scored three goals, all on power plays, as the Gophers swept Minnesota Duluth 5-4 in overtime and 5-4 in regulation.
Rau had two goals on Friday and one on Saturday. His goal Saturday, at 10:05 of the third period, gave the Gophers a 5-2 and proved to be the game-winner.
The Gophers were three for six on the power play on Friday and three for three on Saturday. They lead the nation in scoring, averaging 6.25 goals per game. Their power play is also the nation's best ar 39.1 percent (nine for 23).
Their penalty kill is at 90 percent (18 for 20), which ties the Gophers for ninth in Division I hockey.
The WCHA's offensive player of the week was junior forward Rylan Schwartz of Colorado College, the defensive player of the week was senior goalie Josh Robinson of Michigan Tech.
Schwartz had a hat trick Saturday as CC rallied to beat Bemidji State 6-4. Robinson won two games as Michigan Tech swept Wisconsin in two overtime games, 2-1 and 3-2. He stopped 44 of the Badgers' 47 shots.
Gophers were nominated for those two awards, too. Sophomore left winger Nate Condon was a nominee for the offensive player of the week. Condon scored the game-winner on Friday and had two goals on Saturday. Gophers goalie Kent Patterson stopped 46 of 50 shots both nights in the U nets; he was a nominee for defensive player of the week. His save percentage was .920 percent, slightly below Robinson's .936.
