NMU’s Payne Named WCHA Player of the Week

EDINA, Minn.— Northern Michigan University Men’s Ice Hockey senior forward Robbie Payne (Gaylord, Michigan) was named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Offensive Player of the Week on Monday for the second time this season.

Payne garnered the award after scoring three goals on ten shots over the weekend, with the Wildcats splitting games Friday and Saturday against the University of Alaska Fairbanks. NMU took the victory in Fairbanks on Friday, while UAF collected the win Saturday giving the Wildcats their fourth-consecutive series split.

All three of Paynes’ scores came in Friday’s victory with the senior captain recording his second career hat trick. Payne was plus-two while on the ice for the contest scoring his three goals on seven shots.

His 12 goals are currently second most in the country, one behind the national lead. The goal total also leads the WCHA by four scores. Additionally, his 15 points are tied for third-best in the conference.

Payne was named WCHA Offensive Player of the week twice a season ago after recording six points (2g-4a) for games played October 6-October 9, 2016 and back-to-back two-goal games February 10 and 11, 2017. He was also the first conference honor for the award this season after back-to-back to score games to begin the season.

The Wildcats hit the road for a pair of WCHA contests this weekend against Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. Both games are scheduled for Friday and Saturday at 7:07 p.m.

The Wildcats will finish their current four-game road trip with a pair of contests next weekend at the University of Nebraska Omaha (4-5-1, 1-3 NCHC). The puck will drop Friday and Saturday in Omaha, Nebraska, at 8:07 p.m.