MEN'S HOCKEY

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - For the third time this season, and the second time in the last four weeks, Norwich men's ice hockey standout Rick Cleaver was named the ECAC "Player of the Week" on Monday after leading the Cadets to victories over St. Anselm and New England College this past weekend.

Norwich extended its overall win streak to eight straight games by defeating St. Anselm, 6-2, on Friday night, and edging New England College, 5-4, on Saturday afternoon. Cleaver was instrumental in each game, scoring three goals and handing out two assists over the weekend for a team-high five points.

A native of Parksville, B.C., Cleaver began his productive weekend with a goal and an assist against St. Anselm. Then, against New England College, Cleaver scored two more goals, including the game-winning tally, and added another assist as the Cadets took down the Pilgrims in an exciting contest.

For the season, Cleaver leads the Cadets with 20 goals and 34 points. He also lists tied for second on the club with 14 assists this year. The talented forward has moved into the Norwich all-time Top 10 list for career goals with 81 markers.

Winners of 12 straight ECAC East-NESCAC interlock games, Norwich's record stands at 16-3-0, 12-1-0 ECAC East. The first-place Cadets, who enjoy a six-point lead over second-place Babson, are getting closer to clinching the ECAC East regular season title and the right to host this year's conference tournament.

The Norwich men's ice hockey team, which moved up to No. 4 in this week's national USCHO poll, will return to action this weekend when the Cadets take on NESCAC foes Williams (Friday, Feb. 8) and No. 7 Middlebury (Saturday, Feb. 9). Both games can be heard on WDEV radio (AM-550; FM-96.1), and on the internet (http://www.cadetsradio.com).