Nick Graves Selected for Weekly Award

SAINT PAUL (December 13, 2011) -- UW-Stevens Point junior goaltender Nick Graves (Hewitt, Wis. / Ashwaubenon / Sioux City, USHL) has been selected Player of the Week in the NCHA Men's Conference for the week ending December 13. Graves posted 61 saves in a pair of victories last weekend at UW-Stout.

Last Friday Graves made 31 saves in a 4-1 win, including 13 in the first period and ten in the second. The lone UW-Stout goal was scored with the Blue Devils having the man advantage.

The following night Graves stopped 30 of 31 shots in a 5-1 victory. Again, the Blue Devils only goal came on the power play. Graves stopped 13 in the second and ten in the third, playing a critical role as the pointers held on to complete the weekend sweep.

The two wins marked the first time this season UW-Stevens Point has recorded a sweep; Friday's win was the first time it had won back-to-back games. The sweep sends the Pointers into the holiday break on a 3-game winning streak and in second place in the conference race.

Graves dropped his GAA to 2.52 on the year with his solid weekend. He has now allowed just one goal in each of his past three games played.

Around the Rinks ...

More Heck: Kyle Heck put together yet another nice weekend for UW-Stevens Point as he banked four more points while leading the Pointers. Heck had an assist in the 4-1 win over UW-Stout and a hat trick in the 5-1 win. His hat trick included the game-winning goal and a short-handed goal.

Hey, Neighbor: UW-River Falls tangled with I-94 neighbor UW-Eau Claire last weekend, with each team grabbing a win. The Blugolds snapped the Falcons' season unbeaten streak at ten games with a 5-2 final on Friday. Then UW-River Falls responded with a 6-1 win on Saturday.

Wednesday Nighter: An early holiday gift - Gustavus at UW-River Falls lead us into the holiday break with some Wednesday night hockey action.

Complete Release (pdf)