Wayne State senior Joanie Denby and junior Tina Thibideau earned the first College Hockey America weekly awards of their career while Niagara freshman Allison Rutledge collected her third weekly honor of the season for their efforts over the weekend.

Offensive Player of the Week
Joanie Denby, Wayne State, Senior, Defense, Sterling Heights, Mich.
Entering the weekend with just one point in 15 games, Denby tallied a goal and four assists in Wayne State’s 8-1 and 5-2 wins over Union. Friday, Denby scored her first goal of the season, a power-play tally, and added two assists. The following day, she collected two more assists and set up the game-winning goal.
Other nominees: Katie Gray, Niagara; Teresa Marchese-Del Monte, Mercyhurst; Nicole Richardson, Findlay.

Defensive Player of the Week
Tina Thibideau, Wayne State, Junior, Goalie, Barrie, Ontario
Making just her second and third starts of the season, Thibideau won her first games of the season, defeating Union by 8-1 and 5-2 counts Friday and Saturday. She stopped 21 of 22 shots in the opening game of the series, including 17 saves over the final two periods, to post her first win Oct. 19, 2002. She followed that with an 18-save effort in Saturday’s win.
Other nominees: Desi Clark, Mercyhurst; Hillary Foord, Findlay; Allison Rutledge, Niagara.

Rookie of the Week
Allison Rutledge, Niagara, Freshman, Goalie,
Despite going 0-1-1 over the weekend, Rutledge kept her team in both games by stopping 90 of 96 shots in Niagara’s two-game series with Brown. Saturday, in a 3-3 tie, Rutledge stopped 45 shots as the Purple Eagles snapped a six-game losing streak. She recorded 21 saves in the third period and stopped seven more in the five-minute overtime period. Sunday, Rutledge kept Brown off the scoreboard for over 32 minutes, stopping the first 29 shots she faced, before the Bears scored on the power play. She stopped 20 shots in the first period of the game and finished with 45 saves.
Other nominees: Stefanie Bourbeau, Mercyhurst; Hailey Clarkson, Findlay.