Mike Reilly named Big Ten hockey First Star of the Week

Gophers junior defenseman Mike Reilly scored five points against Michigan State over the weekend.

By jason.gonzalez

December 10, 2014 at 1:29PM
Minnesota's Mike Reilly in action during the third period of an NCAA men's college hockey Frozen Four tournament game against North Dakota, Thursday, April 10, 2014, in Philadelphia. Minnesota won 2-1. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) ORG XMIT: OTKCS166
Minnesota's Mike Reilly in action during the third period of an NCAA men's college hockey Frozen Four tournament game against North Dakota, Thursday, April 10, 2014, in Philadelphia. Minnesota won 2-1. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) ORG XMIT: OTKCS166 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Mike Reilly broke out of an offensive drought with five points against Michigan State and earned the Big Ten's First Star of the Week on Tuesday.

Reilly scored a goal and two assists in Friday night's 5-0 victory and had two assists in Saturday's shootout loss that officially ended in a 3-3 tie. The Gophers' First Team All-American is the first defenseman in conference history to claim Big Ten First Star honors.

Reilly had scored only one point in the four games leading up to the Gophers' Big Ten opener. He ended the drought by matching a career-high three points on Friday. Each of his four assists were scored on the Gophers' nation-best power play (17-for-50, .340).

Reilly leads all Big Ten defenseman with 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) and is tied with senior forward Kyle Rau for the Gophers' scoring lead.

Michigan sophomore forward Tyler Motte was the Big Ten's Second Star of the Week and Penn State junior forward David Glen was the Third Star.

The No. 7 Gophers (9-4-1 overall, 1-0-1-0 Big Ten) are off for winter break until the New Year when they host Merrimack in the first round of the Mariucci Classic on Jan. 2.

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