To the surprise of absolutely no Bulldog women's hockey fans, senior defenseman Maggie Flaherty was named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's Defenseman of the Week Monday.

The Lakeville, Minn. native single-handily led the No. 6/7 University of Minnesota Duluth over the No. 5/6 University of Minnesota on Saturday, sniping an overtime goal from the extended goal 2:09 into extra time off Gopher netminder Lauren Bench's back and into the far side of the mesh.  Flaherty's goal, her second of the season, ties her for the lead among all defenseman in goals scored in the WCHA so far.  Flaherty also had a league-best seven blocks on the weekend and 10 overall through four games.

Flaherty and the Bulldogs will host the No. 1 University of Wisconsin this Friday and Sunday at AMSOIL Arena.  Friday's contest will get underway at 12:0 p.m., while Sunday's puck will drop at 1:01 p.m.