Michigan names sweep WCHA weekly awards

By @MichaelCaples –

Two Michigan natives and tw0 Michigan residents fill up this week’s WCHA stars list, and rightfully so.

Michigan natives and Bowling Green Falcons stand-outs Tyler Spezia and Brandon Kruse have been named the conference’s offensive player and rookie of the week, respectively. Meanwhile, the other two awards – defensive player of the week and goaltender of the week – belong to Ferris State Bulldogs Ryker Killins and Darren Smith.

Spezia, a senior forward for BGSU, factored into both of the Falcons’ game-winning goals in a weekend sweep of Lake Superior State. The Clinton Township native racked up four total points in the two games; his second career multi-goal outing on Saturday proved crucial in a 3-2 win.

Kruse, meanwhile, led all NCAA rookies with four points in that same BGSU-LSSU series. The Saline native notched the game-winner on Friday, and assisted on all three goals in the Saturday 3-2 win.

Killins tied for the WCHA scoring lead over the weekend, registering four points in Ferris State’s home sweep of Michigan Tech. He posted two power-play goals in the second period Friday, then he scored and set up Coale Norris’ game-winner Saturday.

Smith backstopped the Bulldogs to both the victories, recording a .938 save percentage, 61 saves and a 2.00 goals-against average.