One goal and three assists in home series with Stonehill
MARQUETTE, Mich. — Freshman center Owen Pitters has been named CCHA Rookie of the Week thanks to his breakout weekend against Stonehill.
Pitters (Chesterfield, Michigan) had one of the best weekends of any skater across the CCHA, as he paced all conference rookies in assists (3), points (4), shots (9), and a stellar +4 rating over two games. The freshman also was successful in the faceoff dot, going 12-9 (57.1%), and notched two blocks while averaging 13:30 of icetime.
Pitters was the centerpiece of the Wildcats’ best offensive-producing lines last weekend against (RV) Stonehill, as he put up a goal and two assists in the 5-1 win on Friday before adding another assist in the 2-1 OTL on Saturday.
The Wildcat third line of Pitters (1-3–4), sophomore Michael Burchill (1-2–3), and freshman Nik Gudmundson (1-1–2) combined for nine of the ‘Cats 16 points over the weekend. Pitters scored his goal after finishing off a slick spin-o-rama pass from Burchill, and all three of them came together on Gudmundson’s first career goal on Saturday night.
Pitters now has four points in four games, and is tied with Burchill for the team lead in points. Pitters is also just two points behind Cooper Foster of Lake Superior State for the rookie lead in scoring among CCHA freshmen.
“Owen has earned his opportunity through his hard work in practice and the minutes he has played in games,” adds head coach Dave Shyiak. Pitters was a scratch in the Wildcats’ opening weekend before making his collegiate debut against #3 Michigan State in week two. Pitters was then moved to a line with Burchill and Gudmundson for the weekend. “He had impact in both games this past weekend at the faceoff dot and is producing some offense for us.”
Shyiak complimented the freshman’s performance during his weekly media availability the following Tuesday after the Michigan State series, and he produced in a more prominent role. Pitters played just shy of 12 minutes on Friday before logging just north of 15 on Saturday, where he earned looks on the Wildcat power play, and his 15:20 of ice time was sixth among NMU forwards.
The Wildcats now head into its first bye weekend of the season, as the Green and Gold have a rest before opening CCHA conference play at Augustana two weekends from now.
