Trio of veterans sweep USHL Players of the Week honors
October 26, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release
The United States Hockey League announced the CCM Forward, Defenseman and Goaltender of the Week for Week 5 of the 2015-16 season. A trio of veterans took home honors as Dubuque's Evan Smith and Hunter Miska won Forward and Goaltender respectively, and Tri-City defenseman Mattias Goransson won as well. CCM Hockey is the official equipment partner of the USHL.
Forward: Evan Smith - Dubuque Fighting Saints
2 GP: 3 goals, 1 assist, +4 rating
Smith leads the first place Dubuque Fight Saints in scoring this season after netting a hat trick Friday night, followed by a game-winning assist Saturday. Smith is skating in his second full season with Dubuque after scoring 26 points in 59 games last season. The Markham, ON native is committed to play college hockey at Yale University following his junior career. Friday's hat trick was the first of Smith's USHL career, and the first multi-goal game since March 27, 2015 when Smith scored twice against the Madison Capitols. Smith played for Salisbury School (USHS) prior to the Fighting Saints.
Defenseman: Mattias Goransson - Tri-City Storm
2 GP: 2 goals, 2 assists, +4 rating
Goransson scored a crucial overtime-winning goal Friday night to keep the Tri-City Storm within one point of playoff position. The second year defenseman had two goals on the night, and followed up the performance with a multi-assist game Saturday. The back-to-back multi-point performances were a USHL career first for the Grums, SWE native, as well as the multi-goal night. Goransson scored his first career USHL game-winning goal last season on April 4, 2015 against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. The University of Massachusetts-Lowell commit is second in team scoring and currently sits second in scoring for USHL defensemen.
Goaltender: Hunter Miska - Dubuque Fighting Saints
2 GP: 2-0-0, 1.00 GAA, .968 SV%
Miksa's winning streak stands at four consecutive games, as he and the Fighting Saints currently sit atop the Eastern Conference. Miska stopped 40 shots Friday night, and backed the effort up by stopping 21 of 22 on Saturday. The 2015 BCHL Champion is skating in his third USHL season after playing 38 games with Team USA from 2011-13. Miska leads all USHL goaltenders in wins with a 6-1-0 record, and has a 2.21 GAA and .920 SV% in seven appearances. Miska sits second amongst USHL goaltenders in both saves (185) and minutes (434). The University of Minnesota-Duluth commit has previously played for the Penticton Vees (BCHL), Team USA (USHL), and North Branch High School (USHS).
United States Hockey League Stories from October 26, 2015
- Peyton Jones Commits to Penn State - Lincoln Stars
- Military Helmets Unveiled - Green Bay Gamblers
- Storm D Goransson Named Defenseman of the Week - Tri-City Storm
- Trio of veterans sweep USHL Players of the Week honors - USHL
- Smith, Miska Earn Weekly League Honors - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Second Annual Blackhawks Clinic Now on Sale - Bloomington Thunder
- Storm F Carson Meyer Top-Three in Goals - Tri-City Storm
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