Tech’s Vallis and Phillips, Ferris’ Smith pick up WCHA weekly honors

By @MichaelCaples –

Michigan residents have swept the WCHA weekly awards.

Michigan Tech’s Max Vallis and Jamie Phillips were named the conference’s offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, it was announced today.

Meanwhile, Ferris State goaltender Darren Smith was named rookie of the week – again.

Vallis, a native of Santa Clara, Calif., tied for the NCAA lead with three goals this past weekend, and his two game-winners were tops in the nation. The senior forward played a big role in Tech’s sweep of Lake Superior State, and in the process, he was named MVP of the Winter Carnival.

Phillips was just as important to the weekend sweep; the only goal he allowed came on a penalty shot in the final minute of the second game. He stopped all 31 LSSU shots he faced Friday night, then stopped 22 more on Saturday.

Today marks Smith’s third weekly honor – all in the last three weekends his Bulldogs have played. Smith stopped 51 of the 52 shots he faced against Alaska this past weekend, leading FSU to a sweep. Smith is now unbeaten in his last seven games (5-0-2) after a 4-0 win Friday and 2-1 overtime win Saturday.

Smith is now 10-4-5 on the season, with a .933 save percentage and 1.94 goals-against average.