Sauer; Palushaj Claim CCHA Honors

No. 1 Michigan swept the Alaska Nanooks over the weekend at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor. For their play, both Billy Sauer and Aaron Palushaj hauled in Player of the Week honors from the Central Collegiate Hockey Association earlier this week.

Climbing up to No. 1/2 in the national polls with a sweep of the Alaska Nanooks last weekend, the Wolverines got lots of help from a pair of unexpected people, both of which brought in CCHA Player of the Week honors.

Junior goalie Billy Sauer, who entered the season as a significant question mark on the Michigan team, recorded a shutout turning aside 15 shots in the Wolverines 4-0 win over the Nanooks on Friday night. On Saturday the goalie made saves on 18-of-20 shots as the Wolverines improved to 9-1-0 on the season with a 4-2 win. It's Sauer's first Goalie of the Week honors of 2007.

Through 10 games, Sauer's posted a goals against average of just 2.19 and a .904 save percentage, down from 3.03 and .896 last season.

On the offensive side of the ice, freshman Aaron Palushaj posted a 2-1-3 line with a +3 rating in earning CCHA Rookie of the Week honors. Palushaj notched a goal in both nights of the weekend and recorded an assist in the weekends first contest.

Michigan next returns to the ice for a pair of games against Lake Superior State this weekend at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.