Minnesota goalie Noora Räty was named the WCHA Defensive Player of the Week Wednesday for her play against No. 1 Wisconsin Jan. 6-7.

Räty made 34 saves on Friday as the Gophers and Badgers tied at three. She had 32 saves on Saturday in leading Minnesota to a 1-0 win.

The junior is leading the WCHA in goals against average (1.28). This is Räty’s second defensive award of 2011-2012. She is the fifth Gopher to win a WCHA weekly award this season.