COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. – Junior Vicki Bendus of the top-ranked Mercyhurst College women's hockey team has been named a top-three finalist for the 2010 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, USA Hockey officials announced on Tuesday.

An award of The USA Hockey Foundation, the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award recognizes the accomplishments of the most outstanding player in NCAA Division I women's ice hockey each season.

Bendus joins senior forward Kelly Paton of the University of New Hampshire and freshman goaltender Noora Raty of the University of Minnesota as this year's finalists.

Bendus, a junior forward from Wasaga Beach, Ontario, ranks near the top of the NCAA leaderboard in almost all offensive categories. She is tied for the nation's lead in points (62) and shorthanded goals (5), second in points per game (1.82), third in assists per game (1.03) and fifth in goals per game (0.79). Bendus was also named the College Hockey America Player of the Year and garnered First Team All-CHA honors.

A four-time CHA Player of the Week, Bendus helped the Lakers secure the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament.

The 2010 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award will be presented at an award ceremony at the University of Minnesota's McNamara Alumni Center on March 20 in Minneapolis. The event is held is conjunction with the NCAA Women's Frozen Four.