Aaron Miskovich broke out Saturday night against Minnesota-Duluth and showed why he should be considered a scoring threat, scoring two goals in a 3-1 Gophers hockey win.
The WCHA recognized Miskovich’s budding talents Monday by naming him offensive player of the week.
“I’m happy, it’s an honor,” Miskovich said. “But whenever you get an honor like that you have to give a lot of respect to your teammates because when your team plays good, good things happen to the individual players.”
Miskovish is easily the fastest skater on the team. As his offensive skills develop, he could become one of the league’s top players.
“When he skates and goes he adds a different dimension that’s not very common,” coach Doug Woog said. “He can skate with lightning quickness and speed.”
Miskovich’s speed has been an asset for the Gophers, especially on the penalty kill. One of his goals this weekend came when Minnesota was a man down, and the Gophers killed 15 of the 16 Bulldogs’ power-play opportunities.
“He can make a big play,” Woog said. “He’s got that scoring ability.”
The one thing that has set Miskovich apart this year is his ability to get to the loose puck and find open ice faster than anyone else.
“The thing that Misky’s doing is getting the loose pucks,” Woog said. “He’s gotten eight, nine shots a night, which means he’s around the puck.”
Pogreba out for UMD
Minnesota-Duluth lost more than a Saturday game during last weekend’s series at Minnesota.
The Bulldogs will have to do without St. Paul native Shawn Pogreba for two to three weeks, according to Minnesota-Duluth trainer Terry Hanson.
The injury happened in Friday night’s 2-2 tie. Pogreba sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
Pogreba scored 12 goals and had 13 assists in 40 games last year for the Bulldogs. Although he did not factor into the game Friday night, the loss of Pogreba will hurt Minnesota-Duluth temporarily.
“We’re going to try to get him back for North Dakota (Oct. 30-31),” Hanson said. “He should be back fairly early in the year.”
It’s only an exhibition, but…
Here is a name to remember for the Gophers upcoming series with St. Cloud: Tyler Arnason.
The freshman from Winnipeg notched a natural hat trick in the first period and then the first goal of the second period for St. Cloud State as it pummeled Manitoba’s Brandon University 7-1.
St. Cloud’s coach, Craig Dahl, didn’t seem too surprised by Arnason’s scoring barrage. He’s just content with having a big-time scorer at such a young age.
Arnason, with Fargo-Moorhead, led the United States Hockey League last year in scoring with 37 goals and 45 assists in 52 games.
