WCHA Players of the Week - 11/27

Colorado College forward Chad Rau and goalie Richard Bachman, along with St. Cloud State defenseman John Swanson have been named the WCHA Players of the Week.

From the press release:

Colorado College center Chad Rau, who led all conference players over the Thanksgiving weekend with four scoring points, has been named the Red Baron WCHA Offensive Player of the Week for Nov. 27-Dec. 3. This marks the second straight week Rau has earned the offensive honor.

A 5-11, 184-pound junior from Eden Prairie, Minn., Rau recorded his first collegiate three-goal hat trick - including his league-best fourth game-winner of the season - to boost the league-leading Tigers to a 5-1 victory over arch-rival Denver last Friday (Nov. 23) night at the Colorado Springs World Arena. His three goals came in succession in the first, second and third periods, giving him a natural hat trick.

Then last Saturday at DU, Rau added an assist on teammate Jimmy Kilpatrick's game-opening power-play goal at 1:11 of the first period in a game the Tigers dropped, 3-2.
In addition to his four points, Rau also extended his point-scoring streak to six games, fired 11 shots on goal and earned a +2 plus-minus rating in the series.

Through 12 games of the 2007-08 season, Rau is third in scoring overall among WCHA players with 15 points, including nine goals and six assists. He is an NHL Draft choice of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Also nominated this week were: Tyler Ruegsegger, F, DU; and Ben Street, F, UW.

St. Cloud State University defenseman John Swanson, who excelled at both ends of the ice in the Huskies' road series at No. 7-ranked Clarkson over the Thanksgiving weekend, has been named Red Baron WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for Nov. 27-Dec. 3.

A 5-11, 180-pound junior from St. Cloud, Minn., Swanson has moved from forward to defense this season. He earned a +3 plus-minus rating in the series split against the host Golden Knights on Nov. 23-24, helped the Huskies kill nine of 10 CU power-play attempts, produced three scoring points, and had five shots on goal.

In a 4-1 St. Cloud State victory last Friday night, Swanson had one assist, was +2, and helped the Huskies go 6-of-6 on the penalty-kill in a game they were outshot, 33-13.

To complete the weekend, he scored his first goal of the season and his first collegiate shorthander to give SCSU a 1-0 lead in the second period, later added one assist, and earned a +1 plus-minus mark in a 3-2 setback last Saturday (Nov. 24) evening.

On the season, Swanson has one goal, five assists and six points in 12 games played.

Also nominated this week were: Nate Prosser, D, CC; and Alex Kangas, G, UM.

Colorado College first-year goaltender Richard Bachman, who stopped 52 of 56 shots on goal and posted three shutout periods in a weekend split against arch-rival Denver, has been named Red Baron WCHA Rookie of the Week for Nov. 27-Dec. 3. This marks the second time this season Bachman has earned the rookie honor.

A 5-10, 172-pound freshman from Highlands Ranch, Colo., Bachman stopped 28 of 29 shots on goal and blanked the visiting Pioneers on all four of their power-play chances in a 5-1 victory last Friday (Nov. 23) night at the Colorado Springs World Arena. He was named the game's second star.

He then came back with 24 stops in a 3-2 loss at Denver last Saturday (Nov. 24) evening, again stoning the Pioneers on both of their power-play chances. For the series, Bachman posted a .929 saves percentage , three shutout periods, and helped CC blank DU on all six man-advantage opportunities.

On the 2007-08 season, the Dallas Stars' (NHL) draftee sports a WCHA-best 8-2-0 (.800) record, a league-best .944 saves percentage, and ranks fifth overall in goals-against average at 1.70.

Also nominated this week were: Alex Kangas, G, UM; and Ryan McDonagh, D, UW.