Mannino & Bozak Pick Up WCHA Hardware

WCHA Defensive Player Of The Week

Peter Mannino, a senior goaltender at the University of Denver, has been named Red Baron WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for Nov. 6-12 as a result of his outstanding play in the Pioneers' two-game road sweep over two-time defending conference champion Minnesota last weekend.

A 6-0, 195-pounder from Farmington Hills, Mich., Mannino backstopped Denver to it's first sweep at Minnesota since Dec. 10-11, 1994. He stopped 68 of 70 shots on goal in the series for a .971 saves percentage, posted four shutout periods, and blanked the Golden Gophers on all 10 of their power-play opportunities.

Notching his first two career victories over Minnesota, Mannino stopped 36 of 37 shots on goal in a 5-1 Denver victory last Friday (Nov. 2) and then came back with 32 saves on 33 shots in a 4-1 triumph last Sunday (Nov. 4).

On the 2007-08 season, Mannino has allowed one goal or less in all six Denver wins and he sports a 6-2-0 record with a 1.52 goals-against average and a .940 saves percentage. He currently ranks second all-time at DU in goals-against average (2.20), third in saves percentage (.920) and shutouts (10), and is tied for ninth in wins (44).

WCHA Rookie Of The Week

University of Denver center iceman Tyler Bozak, who produced four goals and one assist while helping the visiting Pioneers to a pair of league road victories over defending WCHA champion Minnesota last weekend, has been named Red Baron WCHA Rookie of the Week for Nov. 6-12.

A 6-0, 175-pound freshman from Regina, Sask., Bozak's five scoring points included his first collegiate three-goal hat trick, a pair of shorthanded tallies, seven shots on goal and a +4 plus-minus series rating.

Last Friday (Nov. 2) at Mariucci Arena, Bozak scored one goal and drew an assist on teammate Tyler Ruegsegger's game-winner as DU posted a 5-1 victory over the Golden Gophers. He then came back on Sunday (Nov. 4) afternoon to notch his first hat trick, including two shorthanded goals in the third period, as the Pioneers completed the sweep with a 4-1 triumph.

In addition to his five points, Bozak also went 26-for-38 (68.4%) on faceoffs, added 10 hits, and blocked two shots.

On the season, Bozak is tied for third in scoring overall among WCHA rookies with five goals,two assists and seven points in eight games played.