DETROIT, Mich. – Junior Vicki Bendus, sophomore Hillary Pattenden and freshman Lauren Jones of the top-ranked Mercyhurst College women's hockey team were honored Monday afternoon as College Hockey America's top performers from this past weekend. Bendus was named CHA Player of the Week while Pattenden claimed the title of CHA Defensive Player of the Week. Jones completed the sweep of the weekly honors as she earned her second-straight CHA Rookie of the Week honor.

Bendus led the Lakers with five points in their 1-0-1 weekend at the 2010 Easton Hockey Showcase. The Wasaga Beach, Ontario product scored three goals, including her nation-leading fifth short-handed goal, and added two assists.

With MC trailing 2-0 in the second period against Minnesota State on Saturday, she scored consecutive goals and later added an assist as the Lakers rallied for an 8-2 victory.  Twice in Sunday's game with Mercyhurst holding a one-goal lead and down a skater, Bendus helped the Lakers to a two-goal advantage.  She assisted on a first period short-handed marker, then scored her own short-handed goal in the second period

Pattenden, a goaltender from Surrey, British Columbia, helped the Lakers move to 16-1-2 on the season with a combined 39-save performance. She made 20 saves as the Lakers rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the victory over Minnesota State on Saturday.  Both goals came on Maverick power play.  She then made 19 saves in Sunday's 4-4 draw with St. Cloud State.

Jones, a forward from Bloomington, Ill., continued her hot play with a goal and two assists in the win over Minnesota State.  Her lamp-lighter put the Lakers ahead 4-2, while she garnered an assist on two of MC's next four goals. Jones currently leads all Laker rookies with six goals and nine points.

Mercyhurst has this weekend off before returning to ice against No. 3 Clarkson on Friday, Jan. 15 and Saturday, Jan. 16 at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.