DENVER – Two University of Denver hockey players were recognized by the National Collegiate Hockey Conference on Monday, as junior Massimo Rizzo was recognized as Forward of the Week and defenseman Boston Buckberger was selected as Defenseman of the Week.
 
Buckberger picked up his second consecutive weekly accolade from the NCHC after he was selected as Defenseman of the Week last Monday (Oct. 23). This is Rizzo's first weekly accolade of the season and the third Forward of the Week honor of his career (Jan. 9, 2023; Feb 13, 2023).
 
Rizzo totaled four points in Denver's 1-0-1 week, scoring three goals and adding one assist. He had multiple points in both games, recording one goal and one assist on Friday in a 5-5 tie against Augustana before scoring twice—including the game-winner—in a 4-0 victory versus Air Force. He finished the weekend with a plus-4 rating.
 
The Burnaby, British Columbia, native leads the NCHC in scoring and ranks third nationally this season with 15 points (six goals and nine assists). He has points in all six contests this year and is currently on a four-game goal streak, tied for the longest of his career (Nov. 26-Dec. 9, 2022).
 
Buckberger finished the two-game set with three points (one goal and two assists), two blocked shots and a plus-4 rating. He scored his second goal of the season on Friday and contributed two assists and finished with a plus-3 rating in Saturday's win versus Air Force.
 
The native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is tied for first among freshmen in the NCHC with seven points (two goals and five assists) and is tied for first in the country for scoring by a rookie defenseman. He has points in each of the last four outings (1g, 4a) and had found the scoresheet in five of the six contests this year.
 
Two North Dakota players picked up the other two conference awards, as Garrett Pyke was selected as Defenseman of the Week and Ludvig Persson was named Goaltender of the Week.
 
UP NEXT: The Pioneers begin their Gold Pan series versus Colorado College this weekend. DU hosts the Tigers at Magness Arena on Friday at 7 p.m. MT before the teams meet again on Saturday at 6 p.m. MT at Ed Robson Arena in Colorado Springs.
 

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