Gophers' Novak and Szmatula Awarded in Big Ten Men's Hockey

Minnesota Gopher men's hockey players Tommy Novak and Mike Szmatula were announced as the first and third star by the Big Ten Conference this week.

For Novak, it's the first time. The sophomore forward from River Falls, Wisconsin had a part in four of the Gophers seven goals in the win and tie against the third rated North Dakota Fighting Hawks.

Junior forward Mike Szmatula had a goal and two assists in the series, netting his first career game-winning goal as a Gopher on Saturday. This is also his first career Big Ten weekly award.

The second star was given to Denis Smirnov of Penn State.

Minnesota is off this weekend, next playing at Mankato Friday, November 18th