COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Goaltender Ludvig Persson and defenseman Garrett Pyke were honored by the National Collegiate Hockey Conference on Monday afternoon, with Persson earning the league’s goaltender of the week award and Pyke being selected as the league’s top defenseman following an unbeaten weekend against Minnesota State.
Pyke powered North Dakota at both ends of the ice in a win and tie against Minnesota State. Offensively, he chipped in five assists, including a pair of primary helpers, while helping limit the Mavericks to only two goals each night. In Friday’s 6-2 victory, he tied a career high with three assists, which came on three straight goals, the first of which was on the game-winning goal. The next night, the Alaska transfer had a hand in both of UND’s goals in a 2-2 overtime tie with two assists, while playing more than 24 minutes on the blue line.
Along with his five assists, Pyke finished the series with two blocked shots and a +1 plus/minus. His seven points this season, all assists, tie for the NCHC scoring lead among defensemen and lead all North Dakota skaters.
Persson continued his hot start in Grand Forks, backstopping North Dakota to a win and tie over Minnesota State last weekend to win his third straight NCHC Goaltender of the Week crown. He allowed only two goals each night, including a 28-save showing in Friday’s 6-2 victory. The next night, the Miami transfer made 23 more saves in a 2-2 overtime tie. Persson also helped UND finish the series 6-for-6 on the penalty kill against the Mavericks, making four short-handed saves.
Persson posted a .927 save percentage in the series and a 1.93 goals-against average, leading all NCHC goalies who played two games last weekend. He has now allowed two goals or less in five of six starts this season, while posting a 4-1-1 record in net. Persson leads the NCHC with a .933 save percentage on the year, while his 1.65 GAA is second.
North Dakota hits the road for the first time this season to begin November with a pair of showdowns against No. 8/9 Boston University beginning on Friday night at 6 p.m.
