Kasimir Kaskisuo and his University of Minnesota Duluth teammate, Neal Pionk, were both cited by National Collegiate Hockey Conference for their exemplary performances in the Bulldogs' series sweep of Miami University this past Friday and Saturday nights at AMSOIL Arena.

Kaskisuo, a sophomore from Vantaa, Finland, was chosen the NCHC Goalie of the Week after turning aside 40 of the 41 shots the RedHawks sent his way over the weekend. In Friday's 5-0 victory, he made 20 saves en route to posting his fifth shutout of the year, which equaled the team's single-season record jointly held by Alex Stalock (2008-09) and Brant Nicklin (1997-98). Kaskisuo was again credited with 20 stops in the next night's regular season finale as he and the Bulldogs prevailed 3-1 and completed their sixth sweep of the season --  and second in as many weeks. In the process, Kaskisuo finished as the NCHC goals against average leader (1.69 in league play), becoming just the third Bulldog to ever pace his respective league in that department (the others were Rick Kosti in 1983-84 and Stalock in 2008-09, both in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association).  Over the past four games, Kaskisuo is 4-0-0 with a 0.75 goals against average and a .974 saves percentage (he's turned aside 114 of 117 shots).

Pionk, a defenseman out of  Hermantown, Minn., generated three points and blocked four shots -- both team highs -- in the two-game set. He did all of his scoring on Friday, striking once on the power play and assisting on two other goals. On the weekend, he was a +1 and cashed in on the only shot he put on target.

This is third NCHC Goalie of Week award Kaskisuo has received during his time at UMD (and second this season) while Pionk has now been honored by the league on two occasions (he was the Defenseman of the Week on Oct. 26).