WINTHROP, Mass. – Penn State women's hockey juniors Natalie Heising and Chantal Burke were both recipients of monthly College Hockey America (CHA) conference awards for December as announced by the league office Tuesday afternoon.
Heising paced the Nittany Lions' offense with three goals for Penn State's lone two-game set of the month Dec. 6-7, including notching her program-high 15th career power-play goal. The Wayzata, Minn., native also scored twice more the second game during PSU's five-goal third period, tying the most goals the program has scored in a single period in program history (Jan. 4, 2013 vs. Chatham, 10-0 win).
Her two-goal performance on Saturday marked her first two-goal game of the season and the seventh of her career, a mark that ranks third in program history. She was also named CHA Player of the Week for her performance.
Burke picked up two wins in goal, including her fourth shutout of the season in Dec. 6's win, on her way to her second Goaltender of the Week honor. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, native stopped 33 shots for the weekend, including 21 in Friday's shutout win.
Burke ended up setting the program single-season shutout mark Jan. 3 against New Hampshire with a 29-save shutout. Her goals against average for the season stands at 1.58 with a .937 save percentage, both conference-high marks.
Heising, Burke and the Nittany Lions return to the ice this weekend, Jan. 10-11, when they host CHA-foe Lindenwood at Pegula Ice Arena. Saturday's contest will be Penn State's annual Skate for the Cure Game. Fans who wear pink can enter the game for free and there will be one of three most postgame skates with the team this season.
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