NAHL names players of the week

November 2, 2005 - North American Hockey League (NAHL) News Release

MENZIONE, COLES SHARE SHER-WOOD NAHL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS

A veteran and a rookie share the Sher-wood NAHL Offensive Player of the Week award for the week ending October 30.

Mahoning Valley veteran forward Marc Menzione had six points in two games and Southern Minnesota rookie Alex Coles had seven points in four games to each get recognition for their outstanding weeks.

Menzione tallied a goal and assist in a four goal first period against Traverse City on Saturday, and as the North Stars tried to mount a comeback with a pair of goals, Menzione set up a fifth Phantoms goal. The North Stars refused to play dead, however and pulled to within a goal at 6-5 late in the third, but Menzione set up an empty net goal to clinch the Phantoms' victory. For the game, he had a goal and three assists. The next day, the Darien, Illinois, native notched a pair of goals in a 4-1 win over Traverse City.

Coles not only scored often, but his points all impacted the games' outcomes. On Thursday, October 27 against Wasilla, the Apple VaColes scored the goal midway through the game that put the Express ahead to stay in a 5-2 victory over the Spirit. The next night, against the Spirit, he got the eventual game winner and two more for a hat trick on the evening. On Saturday against Fairbanks, his third period jumpstarted an Express rally that fell a bit short as Southern Minnesota fell to the Ice Dogs 3-2. He finished off the week with the game's opening goal against Fairbanks and then the lone assist on the game winner late in the third.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: John Albert (USNTDP), Andrew Harrison (Texas), Dusty Jackson (Billings), Steve McLeod (North Iowa), Kyle O'Kane (Springfield).

MORIN'S SEVEN POINTS EARNS SHER-WOOD NAHL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS

It's not often that a Defensive Player of the Week winner is honored for his point production, but it's not often that a defenseman outscores most of the forwards in any league. But that's what North Iowa Outlaws defenseman Matt Morin did during the week ending October 30 to earn the Sher-wood NAHL Defensive Player of the Week.

The Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, native has been a regular "honorable mention" for the weekly award since he joined the Outlaws lineup following a pre-season injury. This week, he captured the award with a four-game display that began on Thursday, October 27 against Fairbanks, in which he set up the game-opening goal in the first period and the game-clinching empty net goal in the third period of a 3-1 victory. The next night, after the Ice Dogs had built a 5-0 lead, the Outlaws attempted to rally back and Morin set up his team's second power play goal within a minute late in the second period of an eventual 5-3 loss. On Saturday, Morin scored the game's first goal, and the Outlaws would never trail in a 5-1 win over Wasilla. He tallied the game-opener again on Sunday, and set up two more in an 8-1 triumph over Wasilla. Six of Morin's points came on the Outlaws' power play, which went 11 for 32 on the weekend.

Honorable Mentions: Brett Blatchford (Texas), Craig Dulman (Mahoning Valley), Nick Hopper (Southern Minnesota), Davide Niccoletti (Springfield), Jeff Stone (Billings).

PREVIOUS WINNERS

September 18

Offensive: Karl Sellan (Texas), Chris Connelly (Fargo-Moorhead)

Defensive: B.J. O'Brien (Fargo-Moorhead)

September 25

Offensive: Sean McWhorter (Bismarck)

Defensive: Kenny Reiter (Cleveland), Brett Blatchford (Texas)

October 2

Offensive: Kyle Kraemer (Wichita Falls)

Defensive: Riley Gill (Texarkana)

October 9

Offensive: Kyle Kraemer (Wichita Falls), Sean Murphy (Southern Minnesota)

Defensive: Lyon Messier (Texas)

October 16

Offensive: Anthony Ciraulo (Mahoning Valley), Dan Swanson (Minnesota)

Defensive: Matt Dalton (Bozeman), Johnny Morrow (Alpena)

October 23

Showcase MVP: Josh Heidinger (Bozeman)

Offensive: Sean Murphy (Southern Minnesota)

Defensive: Tim Krystosek (Bismarck)

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