Trio of RedHawks Win CCHA Weekly Honors
1/23/2012 12:00:00 AM | Hockey
Jan. 23, 2012
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. - After sweeping then-No. 8 Western Michigan last weekend, No. 17 Miami nearly swept the CCHA weekly awards, as RedHawks claimed three of the four honors, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced Monday. Miami is the first team this year to win three of the honors in the same week as junior forward Reilly Smith was named CCHA Postgame Player of the Week, senior goalie Connor Knapp was named CCHA Goaltender of the Week and freshman forward Austin Czarnik garnered Gongshow Rookie of the Week.
Each RedHawk to win this week is a repeat winner as Smith has now claimed Player of the Week three times this year, the most of any CCHA player in 2011-12, and five times in his career, also winning twice last year as a sophomore. Czarnik has earned Rookie of the Week three times this year as well, the most of any freshman this season, while Knapp won Goaltender of the Week for the second time this year and of his career, winning it for the first time just two weeks earlier. Miami has captured CCHA weekly honors 12 times now this season, including three different defenseman winning CCHA Defenseman of the Week.
Smith (Mimico, Ont.) scored four goals, including both game-winning goals against No. 8 WMU, while posting a +4 rating on the weekend. Friday, he recorded his second hat trick of the season and third of his career as he scored all three of Miami's goals in a 3-1 win. The game-winner came short-handed in the second period, his first short-handed goal of the year. It was his fourth multi-goal game this year and 13th of his career. On Saturday, Smith scored Miami's first goal in the first period, which was also the game-winner in a 4-0 win over WMU. He now leads the CCHA with 18 goals on the year, which ties for third in the country. Smith has seven game-winning goals this year which leads the country by himself. The seven game-winners also tie for second in Miami single-season history. With goals in both games, he is now riding a season-long five-game point streak.
Knapp (York, N.Y.) continued to play stellar in net for the RedHawks, picking up both wins in the sweep of No. 8 Western Michigan. He allowed just one goal all weekend, which came on a WMU power play, while posting a .980 save percentage (48 saves on 49 shots) and a 0.50 GAA on the weekend with a shutout. Friday, Knapp made 26 saves to earn the win as the only goal allowed came with Miami down a man. Saturday, he stopped all 22 shots that came his way to record his second shutout this year and 10th of his career. He also helped Miami go 5-for-5 on the penalty kill Saturday and even dished out an assist, his first of the year and third of his career, which ties for second all-time among Miami goalies. Knapp has now won his last six decisions dating back to Dec. 9 and has not allowed more than a goal in a game in his last five starts, giving up just three in that stretch along with his two whitewashes. His 1.77 goals-against average leads the CCHA and ranks second in the country while his .932 save percentage is sixth nationally and first in the CCHA. Knapp's 1.57 GAA and .938 save percentage in league play are also both first in the CCHA.
Czarnik (Washington, Mich.) dished out four assists in the two wins, three of which were the primary assist, including both game-winning goals on the weekend. Friday, Czarnik handed out a career-best three assists, the most by a RedHawk this year, as he had a hand in every goal in a 3-1 win. The three points tied his career high and marked his sixth career multi-point game. His assist on Miami's short-handed goal in the second period led to the game-winning goal. Saturday, Czarnik started the game just like Friday, dishing out the primary assist on Miami's game-winning goal in the first period in a 4-0 win. He also blocked a shot and had a +1 rating. He finished the weekend with a +4 rating, put three shots on goal and blocked two shots in addition to all his assists. Czarnik leads Miami with 15 assists and is second on the team with 22 points behind only Smith's 25.
Miami looks to continue its winning ways this weekend when the RedHawks host No. 19 Northern Michigan Friday and Saturday at Steve Cady Arena. Friday's game begins at 7:35 p.m. while Saturday's contest is at 7:05 p.m.
--MURedHawks.com--
