The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) has announced its Players of the Month for March and four student-athletes from three different programs have been recognized. Connor Milburn (Lake Superior State) and Eric Pohlkamp (Bemidji State) were named Forward and Defenseman of the Month, respectively, while Mattias Sholl (Bemidji State) was the conference’s Goaltender of the Month. Isaac Gordon (Michigan Tech) garnered Rookie of the Month honors for the second time.
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CCHA Forward of the Month: Connor Milburn, So., Lake Superior State (Kamloops, B.C.)
Milburn recorded four goals and four assists for eight points in just five March contests, leading the Lakers to an appearance in the Mason Cup Semifinals. He registered a league-best 1.60 points per game and was a +4 with one shorthanded goal. Notching at least one point in four of the team’s five games, his month was highlighted by a three-point game in the regular season finale against Ferris State, in which Lake Superior State won 4-1. In the Mason Cup Quarterfinals, his shorthanded goal sparked a comeback win in Game 3 at St. Thomas.
CCHA Defenseman of the Month: Eric Pohlkamp, Fr., Bemidji State (Brainerd, Minn.)
Pohlkamp led all CCHA defensemen with seven points on four goals and three assists for seven points, while pacing all conference skaters with a +10 plus-minus. Two of his tallies came on the power play, while one was a game-winner. Leading all blueliners with 21 shots on goal, his month was highlighted by putting up three points, including the overtime-winning goal, in a 5-4 victory over Ferris State in Game 1 of the Mason Cup Semifinals.
CCHA Goaltender of the Month: Mattias Sholl, Jr., Bemidji State (Hermosa Beach, Calif.)
Sholl led all CCHA goalies in goals-against average (1.41) and save percentage (.942), going 4-1-0 in five March starts. He totaled 114 saves in 297:48 minutes of action, recording a league-high two shutouts. He had at least 20 saves in four of his five apperances, including a high of 28 in a 6-0, MacNaughton Cup clinching, shutout of Minnesota State on March 1.
CCHA Rookie of the Week: Isaac Gordon, Fr., Michigan Tech (Landmark, Man.)
Gordon paced all CCHA rookies with eight points in March, scoring three goals and assisting on five more in seven contests. He helped the Huskies win their first Mason Cup Championship and third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, posting one power-play tally in the process. He had three straight multi-point games, including back-to-back three-point contests against Bowling Green in the Mason Cup Quarterfinals.
Roy Akers