KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan freshman Joona Väisänen was selected as the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Defenseman of the Week, the league announced this afternoon. 

Väisänen finished the week with three points on two goals and one assist. He was also +1 and blocked two shots in the weekend sweep of No. 20 Omaha. The Finnish blue liner led all NCHC defenseman in points per game this past weekend (1.50). 

He did all of his damage in Friday's series-opening win. After WMU picked up a goal in the early part of the second period to tie the game, Väisänen made some miraculous moves in the offensive zone to free himself. He fired the puck into the back of the net to give the Broncos a 2-1 lead going into the third period. 

After Omaha tied the game, the Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick collected the primary assist on WMU's third goal of the night. That gave the Broncos a 3-2 lead with about 14 minutes to play. The game would eventually go to overtime, and Väisänen would provide the winning tally just over a minute into the extra session. 

After having his initial shot blocked out front of the net, he recollected the puck and flung it toward the goal. It went over the shoulder of the Omaha goaltender and lifted WMU to a 5-4 victory over the Mavericks. 

Väisänen is up to 17 points on three goals and 14 assists this season. Among defenseman on the team, he is second in points and goals and third in blocked shots (25). He is +15 through 28 games and has two game-winning tallies this season. 

The Broncos will be back on the ice this weekend at Arizona State. Friday's series opener is set for 9 PM EST at Mullett Arena.