Bavaro, Delmas, Berrafato, and Johnstone Earn TTUSA Weekly Honors
The past week in Atlantic Hockey saw multiple non-conference victories and a couple highly-competitive conference series. This week’s Travel Team USA weekly award winners come from teams that produced some of the best wins of the week.
Player of the Week
Vito Bavaro – Sacred Heart
Sophomore, Forward – Sarasota, FL/Brooks School
Vito Bavaro was a key piece for Sacred Heart as the Pioneers split a weekend series with #5 Notre Dame. Bavaro netted his first career hat trick in Thursday’s 6-4 victory, the first SHU hat trick since January 2016. He scored two of his three goals in the third period, including the game-winner with under seven minutes to play.
Defensive Player of the Week
Noah Delmas – Niagara
Sophomore, Defense – Schomberg, ONT/Aurora Tigers
Delmas tallied three points last weekend as Niagara split a pair of games against ECAC foes RPI and Union. Delmas netted his first career goal and added an assist as the Purple Eagles knocked-off RPI 4-3 in overtime on Friday. He notched another assist in Saturday’s loss to Union. Delmas also totaled three blocked shots.
Goalie of the Week
Paul Berrafato – Holy Cross
Williamsville, NY – Amarillo Bulls
Berrafato led Holy Cross to a sweep of Atlantic Hockey rival Bentley over the weekend. He totaled 44 saves and allowed three total goals in the two games, posting a save percentage of .936 and a goals against average of 1.49. Berrafato posted his seventh career shutout with a 27-save effort on Saturday.
Rookie of the Week
Marc Johnstone – Sacred Heart
Freshman, Forward – Cranford, NJ/Chicago Steel
Marc Johnstone helped Sacred Heart pull off the upset over #5 Notre Dame on Thursday, recording three assists in the 6-4 victory. His second assist came after he stole the puck from a Fighting Irish skater and led a break for Zach Tsekos, while his final assist led to the game-sealing goal. Johnstone finished the weekend with four blocks and a plus-one rating.
