Not only was NMU ranked for the first time this year — No. 20 in the USCHO Division I poll — but two Wildcat players earned WCHA weekly awards after strong performances last weekend during a sweep at Ferris State.

One honoree was sophomore forward Griffin Loughran, who had arguably the best series of his career so far. He tallied four goals on the weekend, including a hat trick Saturday. He also had both game-winning goals.

Those stats helped give Loughran the WCHA Forward of the Week award. He’s now leading the country in game-winning goals with three, third in goals per game (1.0) and sixth in power play goals with three.

It’s the third Player of the Week award for Loughran during his career after getting two Rookie of the Week nods last season.

Nolan Kent

Also honored was sophomore Nolan Kent, who earned Goaltender of the Week honors for the first time. He made a career-high 39 saves Saturday to help the Wildcats complete the sweep of the Bulldogs and also get his first WCHA victory.

Kent made 17 saves in the first period and made some key stops to help kill a 5-on-3 disadvantage as well as a furious FSU rally late in the third period. His 2-1-0 record is third among WCHA goalies.

NMU hosts Alabama-Huntsville Friday and Saturday at the Berry Events Center. The puck drops at 7 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.