Previous Bauer NCHC Players of the Week

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – For the second straight week, four different National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) teams are represented among the Bauer NCHC Players of the Week for the penultimate week of the regular season (Feb. 21-27, 2022). Earning Bauer NCHC honors for week 20 are St. Cloud State senior Sam Hentges for Forward of the Week, Denver sophomore Mike Benning for Defenseman of the Week, Miami sophomore Ludvig Persson for Goaltender of the Week and North Dakota forward Matteo Costantini for Rookie of the Week.

This is the third NCHC weekly honor of the season for Benning and second of the year for Costantini. Hentges and Persson picked up their first weekly awards of the season, while it’s also the first Forward of the Week nod in Hentges’ career. Persson was a three-time Goalie of the Week last season.

Forward of the Week

Sam Hentges, St. Cloud State
Senior Forward
Fridley, Minn.

Hentges continued his strong play since returning from the Olympics, recording three goals and five points in three games last week to help SCSU to a 2-0-1 record. After firing three shots on goal in a 1-1 overtime tie on Tuesday against Minnesota Duluth, Hentges tallied a season-high and tied a career high with three points in a 4-1 win over Colorado College on Friday. The Minnesota Wild draft pick had the primary assist on the game-winning goal, then scored the next two goals, both on the power play, to seal the victory and record his second multi-goal game this season. The next night, Hentges struck again on the power play with an assist on the game’s opening goal, while scoring the Huskies’ fifth goal in a 6-2 victory. He earned First Star of the Game Friday and Second Star on Saturday.

Hentges finished the three games with three power-play goals, two assists and nine shots on goal, while leading the NCHC averaging 1.67 points per game on the week. He posted a +1 plus/minus during the week, as well. On the season, Hentges has compiled 19 points in only 15 games (1.3 ppg), scoring 10 goals, including four goals in four games since returning from Beijing, and adding 11 assists.

This is Hentges’ first career NCHC Forward of the Week nod and second career NCHC weekly award, earning Rookie of the Week once in 2018-19.

Defenseman of the Week

Mike Benning, Denver
Sophomore Defenseman
St. Albert, Alta.

Benning played a big role in Denver’s split at Omaha last weekend, rallying DU to a win on Saturday. In Friday’s loss, the Florida Panthers draft pick blocked a shot and fired two on goal. The next night, Benning had a hand in three of DU’s final four goals to help the Pioneers overcome a 2-1, third-period deficit. He had the primary assist on the game-tying goal midway through the final frame, then scored the game-winning goal to break a 2-2 tie six minutes later, with both coming on the power play. Benning then sealed the 5-2, comeback victory with an empty-net goal in the final minute. The two goals and three points on Saturday both matched his career high, while it was his third multi-goal game and second three-point game this season. He was named First Star on Saturday, as well.

Benning finished the weekend with two goals, an assist, five shots on goal and three blocked shots. He also posted a +1 plus/minus and helped DU kill six of nine Omaha power plays. On the season, Benning has 27 points, which ties for the team lead among blue liners, while scoring 13 goals, which leads all NCHC defensemen and is second nationally.

This is Benning’s third career NCHC weekly award, all of which have come this season.

GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Ludvig Persson, Miami
Sophomore Goaltender
Hindas, Sweden

Persson had his best weekend of the season, backstopping Miami to a split with then-No. 8 Minnesota Duluth. He made more than 40 saves both nights against the Bulldogs and allowed only three goals all weekend, including his first shutout of the season on Saturday. On Friday, Persson made 49 saves, his second-highest total of the season (and second-most in the NCHC this year), while giving up only two even-strength goals in a 3-1 defeat. The next night the Swede was even more impressive, turning aside all 44 shots he faced for his and Miami’s first shutout of the season and third of his career. He also made four saves short-handed to kill off all five UMD power plays Saturday. Persson earned First Star of the Game Saturday and Second Star on Friday.

Persson finished the weekend with 93 saves on 96 shots faced for a .969 save percentage, while posting a 1.54 goals-against average. He also helped Miami’s penalty kill go 9-for-10 in the series with the Bulldogs. Persson has now made 49 or more saves three times in his career against UMD, including 50 earlier this season. On the season, he improved to 6-19-2 in net with an .893 save percentage and a 3.91 GAA.

This is Persson’s first Goaltender of the Week nod this season and fourth of his career.

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Matteo Costantini, North Dakota
Freshman Forward
St. Catharines, Ont.

Costantini helped North Dakota to a sweep of then-No. 6 Western Michigan, tallying two points, both on Friday. In the opener, he had a hand in both UND goals in a 2-1 victory, setting up the opening goal in the first period, before scoring the game-winner to break a 1-1 tie midway through the middle period. Costantini earned First Star of the Game Friday. The next night the freshman was held off the scoresheet in a 5-2 victory, but still was +1 with a blocked shot and a shot on goal.

Costantini ended the series with a game-winning goal, an assist, three shots on goal and a +2 plus minus, while helping UND’s penalty kill finish 7-for-8 against one of the top power-play units in the country. On the season, he has 19 points, tying for the UND rookie lead, while his seven goals lead all North Dakota freshmen by himself.

This is Costantini’s second NCHC Rookie of the Week award.

OTHER NOMINEES:

Forward of the Week
Matt Barry, Sr., Miami
Judd Caulfield, Jr., UND

Defenseman of the Week
Luke Bast, Fr., UND
Derek Daschke, Sr., Miami
Nick Perbix, Sr., SCSU

Goaltender of the Week
Zach Driscoll, Sr., UND
Dávid Hrenák, RS-Sr., SCSU
Isaiah Saville, Jr., Omaha

Rookie of the Week
Josh Luedtke, D, SCSU
Ty Mueller, F, Omaha

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