For the third time this season Kent Patterson has been named WCHA defensive player of the week. The senior Gophers' goalie allowed one goal in a weekend sweep of Bemidji State. The WCHA rookie of the week award was given to Gophers' forward Kyle Rau. It's the second time he's won the award.

Minnesota Golden Gophers goaltender Kent Patterson has been named the WCHA's co-defensive player of the week. Patterson, a senior, earned his first two career shutouts in successive nights last weekend against Sacred Heart.

Kent Patterson is the 2011-12 WCHA goalie champion. The award goes to the goalie with the lowest in-conference goals against average, and Patterson led the WCHA with a 2.06 GAA. Patterson was also the Gophers' nomination for WCHA Player of the Year, which will be announced next week.

Goaltender Kent Patterson and forward Nick Bjugstad were named second-team All-Americans on Friday. Patterson, a senior, started every game for the Gophers this season. Bjugstad, a sophomore, finished second on the team with 42 points.

Minnesota-Duluth captain Jack Connolly was named WCHA Player of the Year Thursday. He received 48 of 96 first place votes. Gophers' forward Nick Bjugstad and goalie Kent Patterson were named to the All-WCHA First Team.

The U of M men's hockey team is now 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the conference. Goals by Zach Budish, Nate Condon, and Kyle Rau plus the netminding of Kent Patterson led the Gophers to a 3-1 win over Alaska-Anchorage Saturday night.

Erik Haula's two goals and one assist boosted his nation-leading scoring total to 17 points in 7 games. Kent Patterson's 22 saves gave him his fourth shutout. And the high-flying Gophers sailed to a 5-0 win over their nemesis in Anchorage.