HKY: SSK first-year forward, CGY captain loom large in key games
Franklin sets up six goals, Paul buries two to earn CW Player of the Week honours
WINNIPEG - Saskatchewan's Zane Franklin and Calgary's Rachel Paul were named the Canada West Hockey Players of the Week by the conference Tuesday.
Franklin set up five of Saskatchewan's first six goals Saturday, as the Huskies took a commanding lead over Regina after losing to them the night prior. The Huskies went on to win 11-3, securing their second-place spot in Canada West.
Franklin notched six primary assists over the two-game weekend. He now leads Canada West and U SPORTS in assists with 18 on the season. He also chalked up a goal in the series split with the Cougars.
After the loss to Regina Friday, Franklin helped Saskatchewan bust open its scoring Saturday, feeding teammate Donovan Neuls from behind the net in the first. Minutes later, Justin Ball was able to bury one off Franklin's net work out front. The first-year forward went on to assist three goals in the second period, securing the Huskies' insurmountable lead, before adding one of his own in the third.
Franklin will move forward as one of the conference's nominees for U SPORTS Athlete of the Week.
Saskatchewan (10-4) will be back in action Friday and Saturday, when they host third-seeded Alberta (9-2-1) in what promises to be an exciting race to the top of the standings. Puck drop for both games is slated for 7 p.m.
Game log:
Jan. 14: 1 ast, 5 shots in 7-4 L at Regina
Jan. 15: 1 goal, 5 asts, + 2 in 11-3 W vs Regina
Meanwhile, Calgary captain Rachel Paul led the Dinos in two important wins on the road.
Paul's game awareness put her in the right place at the right time in what was the game-winning goal over Trinity Western Saturday. She went on to notch an insurance wrister in the third period. The team's captain was involved on three of the four Dinos' goals, putting up an assist on a second-period score by teammate Holly Reuther.
She also logged an assist in Friday's opening goal of the game, shaking off any holiday break rust early. She was +2 in the Dinos' 5-2 thwarting of the Spartans.
The Dinos' two wins this weekend propelled them up in the standings, where they now stand to take a shot at higher-ranked teams in the conference.
Paul will move forward as one of the conference's nominees for U SPORTS Athlete of the Week.
Calgary (6-8) will be back in action Friday and Saturday, when they host second-ranked UBC (9-3). Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Game log:
Jan. 14: 1 ast, +2 in 5-2 W at Trinity Western
Jan. 15: 2 goals, 1 ast in 4-1 W at Trinity Western