COLCHESTER, Vt. - Saint Michael's College men's ice hockey student-athletes swept Northeast 10 Conference weekly accolades for the week ending on Sunday, Dec. 7.
 
Junior Ben Baxter (Hyannis, Mass./Seahawks Hockey Club) was named Player of the Week, sophomore Evan Plunkett (Charlotte, N.C./Holderness School) claimed Goalie of the Week, and first-year Aj Sacco (Middleton, Mass./Islanders Hockey Club) earned Rookie of the Week.
 
Baxter turned in two goals and two assists while going +3 and keying the Purple Knights' sweep of first-place Franklin Pierce University over the weekend. After blocking two shots in a 3-2 overtime loss at Vermont State University Castleton last Wednesday, Baxter lent an assist on a second-period insurance goal in a 3-0 win at Franklin Pierce on Friday. During a 6-2 victory on Saturday, he scored twice and lent an assist during a four-goal second period that snapped a 1-1 tie.
 
Plunkett backstopped the Purple Knights to the sweep of Franklin Pierce by turning in a 1.00 goals-against average, .970 save percentage and 32.5 saves per game during the two victories. He registered 25 saves to capture his school-record fifth career shutout on Friday in a 3-0 win before turning away 40 shots during a 6-2 victory on Saturday, making 19 saves in the third period alone. Plunkett helped the Purple Knights hold Franklin Pierce scoreless on eight power-play chances during the series. He leads the NE10 in GAA (1.85) while tying for first in save percentage (.950).
 
Sacco turned in a goal and two assists during the 2-1 week. In a 3-2 overtime loss at VTSU Castleton on Wednesday, Sacco tallied a go-ahead second-period strike before lending the primary assist on the winning power-play goal during the second period of a 3-0 win at Franklin Pierce on Friday. Sacco dished the secondary helper on a first-period go-ahead tally in a 6-2 victory against the Ravens on Saturday. For the season, he owns four goals and two assists while appearing in all 12 games.
 
Now 5-4-3 overall and 4-2-2 in league play, the Purple Knights break until Jan. 2, when they host Rivier University at 3 p.m.