MARINACCIO NAMED WCHA ROOKIE OF WEEK
Former Vaughan Viper and Villanova Knight Phillip Marinaccio (photo courtesy of BSU Photo Services), now with the Bemidji State University Beavers, was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week last week for his recent performance.
The Woodbridge, Ontario native played parts of two seasons in the OJHL, kicking off his junior career as a 16-year old in 2009-10 with his hometown Vaughan Vipers. After playing only eight games with the Vipers, recording four goals and five points, Marinaccio joined the nearby Villanova Knights in 2010-11. Despite only playing 29 games for the club, he would continue to show a hot hand, notching 12 goals and 19 points.
Below is the official press release from the Bemidji State Athletics website (www.bsubeavers.com):
Bemidji State University forward Phil Marinaccio (Fr., Nobleton, Ontario) has been selected Western Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Week after aiding the BSU men’s ice hockey team to a series victory over University of Alaska-Anchorage Nov. 15-16.
Marinaccio contributed three points on two goals and one assist as the Beavers won 4-1 over the Seawolves Friday and then tied the Seawoves 4-4 in overtime Saturday.
All three of Marinaccio’s points came in the series finale, earning him “first star” honors. He scored a go ahead goal at 2:39 of the second period to give the Beavers a 2-1 advantage, assisted on teammate Mitch Cain’s goal at 7:22 of the second to increase the lead to 3-1, and then notched a game-tying tally at 7:18 of the third after BSU fell behind 4-3.
In addition to his three points, he finished the weekend series with four shots on goal and a +1 plus/minus rating.
Marinaccio, who has played in all 12 of Bemidji State’s games this season as a rookie, has three goals, one assist and four points.
Marinaccio is the third member of the BSU men’s hockey program to be recognized for the WCHA’s weekly award in 2013-14. Teammates Markus Gerbrandt (Fr., Edmonton, Alberta) and Brendan Harms (Fr., Steinbach, Manitoba) were selected for the league’s offensive and rookie awards, respectively, Oct. 28.
The league also announced Alaska-Anchorage forward Scott as its Offensive Player of the Week, while C.J. Motte of Ferris State University earned the Defensive Player of the Week honor.
The Beavers, now 4-6-2 in 2013-14 and 4-3-1 in WCHA play, continue their current six-game homestand Nov. 22-23 when they host Lake Superior State University for a WCHA two-game set. The first game will begin at 7:37 p.m. Friday with the series finale slated for a 7:07 p.m. start Saturday at Sanford Center.
