University of Connecticut Athletics
Nichols and Thompson Garner Hockey East Honors
12/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Dec. 7, 2015 
STORRS, Conn. - UConn junior goaltender Rob Nichols (Dallas, Texas) and freshman Tage Thompson (Orange, Conn.) each were honored with Hockey East Player of the Week awards after leading the Huskies to a weekend sweep of No. 5 ranked UMass Lowell. Nichols was tabbed the league's Defensive Player of the Week while Thompson was named the Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Week.
Nichols picks up his first Hockey East weekly award this season after winning the award three times last season. The junior netminder helped lead the Huskies in their upset victories over the River Hawks that snapped a season-long eight game losing streak. Nichols turned in 27 saves in Saturday's 4-3 win at home in the XL Center. Nichols was at his best in the third period, turning away 12 shots including four in the final minutes with UMass Lowell using the extra attacker looking for the tying goal.
On Sunday, Nichols stopped 30 shots leading the Huskies to a 2-1 win on the road. His two biggest stops of the day came on a first period breakaway to keep the game scoreless and then in the third period when he denied Ryan McGrath on a penalty shot to keep the game tied at 1-1. Nichols had 14 saves in the first period of Sunday's win. On the season, he has all five of UConn's wins and posts a .901 save percentage.
Thompson wins his second rookie award this season after coming up with three goals on the weekend including both game-winners. On Saturday, Thompson scored twice on the power play, giving the Huskies a 1-0 lead in the first and then a 4-3 edge midway through the third. On Sunday, Thompson again found some power play magic for UConn, scoring the game-winner in the third period to lead the Huskies to the sweep.
On the season, all seven of Thompson's goals have come on the power play, a number that has him tied with Austin Farley of Minnesota Duluth for the lead in the country. He is second on the club with 12 points on seven goals and five assists. He is sixth in Hockey East in rookie scoring.
The Huskies will get back on the ice this Friday night, December 11th from the XL Center when they play host to No. 19 ranked Merrimack. Puck drop is set for 7:05 pm.
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Nichols picks up his first Hockey East weekly award this season after winning the award three times last season. The junior netminder helped lead the Huskies in their upset victories over the River Hawks that snapped a season-long eight game losing streak. Nichols turned in 27 saves in Saturday's 4-3 win at home in the XL Center. Nichols was at his best in the third period, turning away 12 shots including four in the final minutes with UMass Lowell using the extra attacker looking for the tying goal.
On Sunday, Nichols stopped 30 shots leading the Huskies to a 2-1 win on the road. His two biggest stops of the day came on a first period breakaway to keep the game scoreless and then in the third period when he denied Ryan McGrath on a penalty shot to keep the game tied at 1-1. Nichols had 14 saves in the first period of Sunday's win. On the season, he has all five of UConn's wins and posts a .901 save percentage.
Thompson wins his second rookie award this season after coming up with three goals on the weekend including both game-winners. On Saturday, Thompson scored twice on the power play, giving the Huskies a 1-0 lead in the first and then a 4-3 edge midway through the third. On Sunday, Thompson again found some power play magic for UConn, scoring the game-winner in the third period to lead the Huskies to the sweep.
On the season, all seven of Thompson's goals have come on the power play, a number that has him tied with Austin Farley of Minnesota Duluth for the lead in the country. He is second on the club with 12 points on seven goals and five assists. He is sixth in Hockey East in rookie scoring.
The Huskies will get back on the ice this Friday night, December 11th from the XL Center when they play host to No. 19 ranked Merrimack. Puck drop is set for 7:05 pm.
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Players Mentioned
Goaltender
/ Men's Ice Hockey
Forward
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