UMD star in sweep of Michigan Tech honored; Badgers sign five

Jack Connolly isn't big, but he can sure dish the puck.

The junior center for UMD was named the WCHA's Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Bulldogs to a 5-3, 4-2 sweep of Michigan Tech.

Connolly, 5-8, 160, had the go-ahead goal and an assist for host UMD in the first game and three assists in the second. He was a plus-3 for the weekend and played on a power play which was 4-for-11.

The Duluth native is second in the WCHA in scoring with four goals and 14 assists for 18 points.

UMD is off to its best start in school history at 9-1-2 and moved up to No. 1 in the national polls this week.

HOT GOALIE

North Dakota sophomore goalie Aaron Dell is the Defensive Player of the Week. With Dell in the nest the Sioux swept Wisconsin 1-0 and 4-2 at the Kohl Center. It was North Dakota's first sweep in Madison since 2002-03.

The two starts were his third and fourth in a row. Last season he played in only five games total and none back-to-back.

DU ROOKIE SCORES TWICE

David Makowski scored his first and second goals of his career as Denver swept visiting Minnesota State Mankato 3-2, 6-1. The 6-2, 205-pound freshman defenseman scored the game-winner on Friday on a power play and then had a goal and two assists the next night.

Makowski, of Wildwood, Mo., was a plus-2 for the series, had three hits and blocked three shots.

UNO forward Ryan Walters, who decommitted from the Gophers, also was nominated for this award.

New Prague senior forward Tyle Lapic was one of five players who signed national letters of intent with Wisconsin.

Lapic is 6-2, 195. He is playing with the Chicago Steel of the USHL and, in 11 games, has one goal and six assists. He layed for Des Moines and Omaha last seasonkin the same league. Two seasons ago as a senior at New Prague, Lapic had 23 goals and 42 assists for 65 points in 25 games.

"Tyler is a power forward, big lad, who brings a niceskill set to the rink," Badgers coach Mike Eaves said. "We expect him, hopefully right away, to be a contributor."

The Badgers also signed:

* F Matt Paape, Appleton, Wis., 5-10, 188, playing second season with Sioux City (USHL)

* F Brendan Woods, Palmyra, Pa., 6-3, 192, plays for Muskegon (USHL) after being on Chicago team last season

* G Joel Rumpel, Swift Current, Saskatchewan, 6-3, 175, playing second season with Penticton (BCHL)