Bjugstad named WCHA player of the week

MINNEAPOLIS Gophers junior forward Nick Bjugstad was named the Red Baron WCHA Offensive Player of the Week after scoring the game-winning goals in both of Minnesotas wins over Michigan State. Bjugstad had a goal and an assist in Minnesotas 5-1 victory Friday night at Mariucci Arena. He followed that up with a first-period goal in Saturdays series finale that put the Gophers up 2-0. Minnesota went on to win that game by a 7-1 final, sweeping the weekend series against the visiting Spartans. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Bjugstad was a first-round pick (19th overall) by the Florida Panthers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. After tallying 42 points (25 goals, 17 assists) as a sophomore last year, Bjugstad decided to return to Minnesota for his junior season. Follow Tyler Mason on Twitter.