USHL Honors - Week 18

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced the weekly award winners for the 18th week of the 2011-12 USHL regular season.

Award winners include forwards Kyle Criscuolo of the Sioux City Musketeers and Scott MacDonald of the Waterloo Black Hawks, named co-recipients of CCM Offensive Player of the Week; defenseman Nolan Zajac of Omaha Lancers, selected as CCM Defensive Player of the Week; and Alex Lyon of the Omaha Lancers who earned honors as Reebok Goaltender of the Week.

Criscuolo scored five goals and posted a plus-five rating over three games for the Musketeers. He scored both goals in the 2-0 win vs. Fargo on Thursday. The 19-year-old then tallied three goals, including the game-winner, in Friday’s 6-3 victory against Sioux Falls. It was the first regular season USHL hat trick for Criscuolo and his fourth multi-goal game of the year. The native of Southampton, New Jersey has collected 25 points (13g, 12a) in 36 games for the Musketeers this season and leads the team with four game-winning goals.

MacDonald recorded five points (4g, 1a) over three games for the Black Hawks. He recorded his first USHL career hat trick and dished out an assist in the 6-5 shootout win vs. Cedar Rapids on Saturday. The 20-year-old had scored three goals total in 21 previous games this season. Two of his goals were shorthanded which ties a USHL record for most shorthanded goals in a game. MacDonald then scored his team’s first goal in the 7-3 victory against Des Moines on Sunday. The native of Surrey, British Columbia has registered 13 points (7g, 6a) in 23 games during his first USHL season.

Zajac recorded six points (2g, 4a) and a plus-four rating during three games for the Lancers. He dished out one assist in Friday’s 3-2 loss to Tri-City. He collected two points (1g, 1a), including the game-winning goal, and helped to shutout Des Moines in Saturday’s 4-0 victory. The 19-year-old then had a game high three points (1g, 2a) in the 6-2 win vs. Fargo on Sunday. Zajac is a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba and is currently riding a seven-game point streak. He is tied for the lead in scoring among USHL defensemen with 25 points (6g, 19a) in 38 games this season.

Lyon posted a 1.00 goals-against-average and a .964 save percentage in two victories for the Lancers. He stopped all 28 shots he faced in Saturday’s 4-0 win vs. Des Moines. It was his third shutout of the season which ties him for the lead among USHL goaltenders. The 19-year-old then made 29 saves in the 6-2 victory over Fargo on Sunday. Lyon has compiled a 17-8-2 record this season, ranking third in wins among League netminders. The native of Baudette, Minnesota also began the week by participating in the 2012 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game and helping Team East to a 5-3 win.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)