Ferris State’s McDonald, Lake State’s Roll claim WCHA weekly honors

By @MichaelCaples –

The WCHA announced their weekly awards today, and a Bulldog and a Laker cracked the list.

Ferris State’s Chad McDonald was named the league’s offensive player of the week, while Lake Superior State’s James Roll was named rookie of the week.

McDonald, a Battle Creek native, scored a pair of goals and added two assists to help Ferris State pick up a weekend home split against Alabama Huntsville. The sophomore – a Muskegon Lumberjacks alum – had both the game-winner and a shorthanded goal in the Bulldogs’ 5-2 win on Saturday.

Roll, a West Seneca, N.Y., native, led all WCHA freshmen in assists this weekend, recording four, and he finished with a +3 rating for LSSU squad that was only scored on once all weekend.

From the league:

WCHA Offensive Player of the Week
Chad McDonald, So., F, Ferris State (Battle Creek, Mich.)
McDonald had a pair of goals and four points this weekend, while tying for tops in the WCHA with a +4 rating, as Ferris State earned a home split against Alabama Huntsville. The sophomore from Battle Creek, Mich. produced an assist in Friday’s close 3-2 setback, before notching three points on two goals and an assist in Saturday’s 5-2 win. He scored both a short-handed goal and the game-winner in the victory, and is now tied for third nationally with three game-winning strikes this season. McDonald previously earned WCHA Offensive Player of the Week accolades following the first weekend of the season.

Also nominated: Marcus Basara, So., F, Alaska; Chad Brears, Jr., F, Alabama Huntsville; Chris Ciotti, Sr., F, Lake Superior State; Jean-Paul Lafontaine, Sr., F, Minnesota State; Alex Petan, Jr., F, Michigan Tech

WCHA Defensive Player of the Week
Stephon Williams, Jr., G, Minnesota State (Fairbanks, Alaska)
Williams backstopped Minnesota State to a road sweep at No. 1 Michigan Tech, recording 55 saves on 58 shots (.948 save percentage) with a 1.50 goals against average. The junior from Fairbanks, Alaska stopped 30 of 31 shots (including holding Tech scoreless on three power plays) in Friday night’s 2-1 win. He then made 25 saves on 27 shots in the series finale, a 3-2 victory that gave the Mavericks their first-ever sweep of a top-ranked opponent. The New York Islanders’ draft pick ranks second nationally with a .900 winning percentage (9-1-0), while posting a .915 save percentage and 1.85 goals against average.

Also nominated: Jason Binkley, Sr., D, Ferris State; Carmine Guerriero, So., G, Alabama Huntsville; Mike Sullivan, Sr., D, Bowling Green

WCHA Rookie of the Week
James Roll, D, Lake Superior State (West Seneca, New York)
Roll turned out his best offensive output of the season, as his four assists led all WCHA freshmen and was second-most among all conference players this past weekend. The West Seneca, New York native also helped anchor a defensive line that was scored on just once on the weekend, finishing with a +3 rating. Teaming up with Nathan Harris the first night, Roll tallied three assists in a comeback effort that fell just short. With a new line partner, Ryan Renz, for game two, he finished +2 with a blocked shot. He was also credited with the assist on the Lakers’ game-winning, overtime goal in a 3-2 triumph over Alaska.

Also nominated: Olivier Mantha, G, Alaska Anchorage; Max McHugh, F, Alabama Huntsville; Chris Nell, G, Bowling Green