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The awards are in
 Bobby Hart -- Staff Column
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You could sum up the 2002-03 SCSU hockey season in one word: ouch.
It's fair to say that the 17-15-5 (worst finish since 1998-99) Huskies didn't live up to their preseason hype of a third-place WCHA finish. They failed to accomplish the ultimate goal of winning their first NCAA tournament game, falling to 0-6 in postseason play.
Injuries that kept assistant captains Ryan Malone and Jeff Finger out for nearly half of the season didn't allow much of an opportunity to do so. Malone said it best, after their loss to UMD in the first round of the WCHA playoffs, "(stuff) happens."
There were still the annual entertaining moments throughout the season that always seems to follow Husky hockey. If you look deep enough, one could look back on this soap opera season as a success. Being one of three teams in the nation to be in the NCAA tournament the last four years is a huge accomplishment. They also had big wins over defending national champion Minnesota and No. 1 Colorado College.
Since SCSU didn't get to take home any trophies this season, they'll have to settle with MY postseason awards. They may lack luster, but I don't think any tears will be shed in acceptance. This is just my way of saying thank you for another entertaining season.
Best Forward Line: It couldn't be more obvious. Seniors Joe Motzko, Jon Cullen and Malone made up possibly the most dominant line in the WCHA. They combined for 115 points and coach Craig Dahl said it compares to the one of Tyler Arnason, Brandon Sampair and Nate DiCasmirro's line in 2001 as the best he's ever coached. They were split up midway through the season to spread the scoring productivity.
That put Jensen up to the first line and sent Malone to the third, a move that ended up working well for SCSU.
Best Offensive Player: This one was a little trickier. Motzko (42 points, 17 goals, 25 assists) and Cullen (37 points, 16 goals, 21 assists) were great, but Ryan Malone still scraped together 36 points from 16 goals and 20 assists even though he sat out 11 games from numerous injuries. Malone was a human highlight film causing spectators' jaws to drop with some of the pucks he put in the net. He put together the best play of the season against UMD in the second game of the first round series in the WCHA playoffs.
The Pittsburgh Penguin-bound forward was on a two-on-one with Mike Doyle. Malone, who was on the right side, faked a shot and then backhanded a perfect pass to Doyle at the last second. Doyle put it in for the game-winner. Malone will also bring home the Best Celebration award for his Captain Morgan salute after a goal against UND Nov. 8.
Best Defensive Player: Senior Derek Eastman is taking home this one. After missing the first 16 games to academic ineligibility, Eastman was just the blue line sniper the Huskies needed. He finished with 26 points. Matt Gens was the runner-up with a team-leading +14 plus/minus and 14 points.
Rookie of the Year: What a surprise Joe Jensen turned out to be. The Plymouth native ended up with 18 points and complimented the first line with his "warrior mentality," as Dahl called it. Jensen played the game of his life in January when he scored a hat trick in a 4-3 win over the Gophers. He followed that up with the first goal the following night against the defending champs. This kid battles in the corners and always wins races to the puck. Dahl compared him to Motzko as a freshman.
Biggest Hit: It wasn't Jeff Finger, Tim Conboy, or Ryan Malone, but it was none other than freshman Jonathan Lehun that won this award. Yep, the smallest guy on the ice had probably the biggest hit in NCAA hockey this year when he caught UND's Tyler Palmiscno with his head down at center ice. It was a scary moment when Palmiscno's helmet popped off and cracked his head on the ice, leaving a pool of blood. Unfortunately, he was kept out of numerous games throughout the season and suffered headaches as a result of the hit. Lehun escaped with only a divot in his shoulder pad.
Tough Guy Award: Jeff Finger doesn't know the meaning of pain. He played with a broken wrist and a fractured bone in his foot at the same time against Mankato Oct. 25-26. He was finally dragged out of the lineup when he tore a ligament in his knee and had to get surgery towards the end of the season.
Lounge Rat Award: Mike Doyle isn't that hard to find. Chances are he'll be in the locker room lounge sprawled out on the leather couch with an ice pack, watching a game show on the 61-inch T.V. It's not that he's lazy or unmotivated, he just uses his spare time wisely. It must be a form of energy preservation meditation because Doyle always seems to pop up at the right time for a huge goal. He scored the overtime game-winner against Mankato Oct. 25 and had another one against UMD in the WCHA playoffs.
Around the Rink
-Ryan Malone joined the Pittsburgh Penguins' AHL squad on Tuesday.
-Jake Moreland was signed as an emergency backup for the Atlantic City (N.J.) Boardwalk Bullies.
-Juniors Matt Hendricks (fifth round pick of Nashville) and Jeff Finger (eighth round pick of Colorado) are not sure if they will return next season or turn pro. They'd likely both be captains next year if they return.
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