On a busy Tuesday, it was announced junior goaltender Alex Kangas has been named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s defensive player of the week.

Kangas earned the award for his play during last weekend’s split against Wisconsin. Kangas stopped 73 of 79 shots on the weekend, including holding the Badgers scoreless on 17 shots during their eight power plays for the weekend.

In Saturday’s 5-2 win, Kangas stopped a career-high 45 saves, bringing a shut-out into the third period before allowing two late goals.

Kangas is 11th in the nation with a .933 save percentage and has a goals against average of 2.35.

This is the third time Kangas has won the award, the previous two times coming last year during his sophomore season.

Kangas follows Tony Lucia as consecutive Gophers to be named weekly award winners, as Lucia was named last week’s offensive player of the week.

Minnesota hosts Bemidji State in a two-game series beginning Saturday at 7:30 p.m.