COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Sophomore forward Jackson Blake and freshman defenseman Jake Livanavage were each honored with weekly awards by the NCHC, the league announced on Monday evening. Blake was named the NCHC Forward of the Week for the second time this season while Livanavage earned NCHC Defenseman of the Week for the second time as well.
Blake powered North Dakota to a sweep of Minnesota Duluth with a seven-point weekend, tallying three more points than any other NCHC player over the weekend. On Friday, Blake recorded a career-high five points, as he had a hand in all but one goal in UND's 6-0 shutout of the Bulldogs. The Carolina Hurricanes draft pick opened the scoring only 1:05 into the game Friday, with his goal serving as the game-winner. He then assisted on UND's final four goals, with the first three primary helpers, including a highlight-reel steal and set-up on the Fighting Hawks' fifth goal. Blake was named the game's first star on Friday. The next night, he doled out two more primary assists in a 4-2 victory, setting up each of UND's first two tallies.
Blake finished the series with a game-winning goal and six assists, including five primary helpers, to record the first seven-point weekend by a UND player since Mark MacMillan did it against Colorado College on Oct. 17-18, 2014. He also fired seven shots on goal and posted a +4 plus/minus, tying for the NCHC lead on the weekend. Blake now has 17 points in his last eight games and is tied for the NCHC scoring lead with 47 points (18g/29a) overall this year, which ties for fifth nationally. His 32 points and 22 assists in conference play are both first in the NCHC.
Livanavage contributed at both ends of the ice in North Dakota's sweep of Minnesota Duluth. Defensively, he helped limit the Bulldogs to two goals all weekend, including a shutout in Friday's opener, while playing on a penalty kill unit that was a perfect 3-for-3. Offensively, Livanavage handed out a trio of assists, including two in Friday's 6-0 victory, with all three helpers coming on the power play as UND went 3-for-9 on the man advantage. He had the primary assist on UND's first goal Friday (by Jackson Blake), which was the game-winner, then also had a hand in the Fighting Hawks' fourth goal Friday and set up UND's first goal again on Saturday in a 4-2 win.
Along with the three assists, Livanavage blocked three shots in the sweep and finished with a +2 plus/minus. He's now riding a three-game point streak and ranks second among freshman defensemen in the NCHC with 22 points (3g/19a) in 32 games this season. His 22 points are seventh among all NCHC blueliners this year.
North Dakota, which leaped back to No. 3 in both polls this week, is set to host No. 12/11 Western Michigan in the final home series of the regular season beginning on Friday night at 7:06 p.m. from Ralph Engelstad Arena.
For more information on North Dakota hockey, follow on social media @UNDmhockey or visit FightingHawks.com.
