Heidi Pelttari has played 22 of the Bulldogs' 30 games this season as a forward, but after stepping on the ice 20 consecutive games as an offensive threat, the University of Minnesota Duluth junior has been rewarded for stepping back last weekend.

Pelttari was named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's Defensive Player of the Week Wednesday after she stepped back into her previous role on the blueline in the Bulldogs' two-game conference road series sweep of Bemidji State.

A native of Tampere, Finland, Pelttari had one assist in last Friday's (Feb. 6) 3-2 win over the host Beavers, with her helper coming on teammate Laura Fridfinnson's game-winning goal at 5:22 of the second period. Then in game two of the weekend series last Saturday (Feb. 7), Pelttari dished out four assists to help propel the Bulldogs to a 9-0 shutout victory over Bemidji State. Pelttari's four assists in that game marks a career-high for the multi-positioned player, who played defenseman all weekend. In addition to her five-assist series, Pelttari also put three shots on goal and earned a +2 plus/minus rating as UMD blanked BSU on all 10 of their weekend power-play opportunities.

Through 30 games this season, Pelttari has two goals and 18 assists for 20 points, ranking her fourth in scoring overall among WCHA defensemen.

Pelttari --- one of six Bulldogs who will be honored Saturday night on Senior Night --- and the rest of No. 4 UMD will host Ohio State this Friday and Saturday in the last regular season home stand of the season. Both games will begin at 7:07 p.m., with the Senior Night tribute following the Saturday evening contest.