BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Western Collegiate Hockey Association regular season came to a close with just as much style and talent on display as all season, culminating with Ohio State winning its first WCHA Regular Season title in program history in Sunday’s regular season finale.
 
For their title efforts, two from Ohio State in Emma Maltais and Madison Bizal were named as Players of the Week, joined by St. Thomas’ Saskia Maurer and Wisconsin’s Vivian Jungels. The final weekly awards of the season are presented by Sterling Trophy.
 
WCHA Forward of the Week
Emma Maltais, Grad., Ohio State (Burlington, Ontario)
Scoring three goals and an assist for Ohio State this weekend was Emma Maltais. Off of 10 total shots on goal, the captain net two goals, including the game-tying goal, to help Ohio State overcome a four-goal deficit in game one of the top-ranked series at Wisconsin. Maltais’ weekend also included scoring the game-tying goal in the team’s 3-1 win on Sunday, helping Ohio State win its first WCHA regular season title in program history. Behind her four-point weekend, Maltais became the first Buckeye player in program history to reach 200 career points.
 
The WCHA Forward of the Week title is the second straight for Maltais, after earning the honor last week on Feb. 13.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Taylor Heise (Minnesota), Taylor Lind (St. Cloud State), Gabbie Hughes (Minnesota Duluth), Jesse Compher (Wisconsin).
 
WCHA Defender of the Week
Madison Bizal, Grad., Ohio State (Elk River, Minn.)
In a four-point weekend, Madison Bizal net two goals and two assists off of seven shots on goal for Ohio State. She first recorded the game-winning goal in the 3-1 win over Wisconsin on Sunday, and went on to score two goals in 30 seconds - both in the final minute of play - to help Ohio State to its first regular season title in program history. Bizal added eight blocked shots to the weekend, including seven in the team’s win, while her two goals counted as a game-winner, followed by her first power play tally of the season.
 
The WCHA Defender of the Week title is the second for Bizal this season, after earning the honor on Jan. 30.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Nelli Laitinen (Minnesota), Dayle Ross (St. Cloud State), Ashton Bell (Minnesota Duluth).
 
WCHA Goaltender of the Week
Saskia Maurer, So., St. Thomas (Rothenbach, Switzerland)
Through 62:17 of action, Saskia Maurer made 53 saves for St. Thomas on 55 shots faced against the No. 4 team in the nation. For the second time this season, Maurer led the Tommies in their effort to take points from nationally ranked opponents, this time against No. 4 Minnesota. Maurer’s performance included a .964 save percentage and 1.94 goals against average, while her 53 saves are the most in a game by any WCHA goaltender this season.
 
In eight games before her outstanding effort, the Gophers were 8-0 against the Tommies with a 48-6 scoring differential across St. Thomas’ early WCHA membership, making the 2-1 overtime result an impressive one for the St. Thomas program. The WCHA Goaltender of the Week title is the second for Maurer this season, after earning the honor on Nov. 14.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Skylar Vetter (Minnesota), Emma Soderberg (Minnesota Duluth), Amanda Thiele (Ohio State).  
 
WCHA Rookie of the Week
Vivian Jungels, D, Wisconsin (Edina, Minn.)
Posting a trio of assists for Wisconsin this weekend was defender Vivian Jungels. The first-year collected two assists in the Badgers’ 6-5 overtime win on Saturday, before adding an assist on Wisconsin’s lone goal on Sunday against the top-ranked Buckeyes. Jungels three points ranked second among all WCHA defenders, while she added a pair of blocked shots.
 
The WCHA Rookie of the Week honor is the second for Jungels this season, after earning the title on Dec. 5.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Nelli Laitinen (Minnesota), Hailey MacLeod (Minnesota Duluth).  
 
About Sterling Trophy
Sterling Trophy has grown into a leader in the award and recognition industry in the Twin Cities since its founding in 1999. A family business that started in the basement of the home of founders David Steinbring and Patty Steinbring, Sterling Trophy has built a proud tradition of quality service and unique products. For more information, visit sterlingtrophy.net.