Mason City, IA- North Iowa Bulls Forward & Assistant Captain Fuji Suzuki has been awarded the NAHL Central Division Star of the Week honors for the week ending February 22nd.
The Tokyo, Japan, native posted a five-point weekend to lead the Bulls offense against the Bismarck Bobcats. He began the series with the Bulls’ lone goal on Friday, scoring a power play tip in. The next night was his magnum opus. He netted a hat trick, the first for any Bull this season. His first two goals opened the scoring in the early stages of the game. In the second period, his third goal of the night, a power play strike, extended the Bulls’ lead and set the Bulls’ single season record for goals in a NAHL season, breaking current Ferris State University forward Carter Rapalje’s mark. Later in the frame, Fuji fired a blue line to blue line pass for Denis Kuzmenkov who buried a goal to give Suzuki his final point of the weekend and serve as the game’s winning goal.
“Fuji had a great weekend and continues to produce in critical moments. He has been a gamechanger for us all season,” said North Iowa Bulls Head Coach Nick Bruneteau. “His ability to change speeds and accelerate, along with his understanding of the game, has separated him from others. We believe he is one of the best players in the league, and he showcased that this weekend.”
Suzuki’s performance lifts him to the 5th leading goal scorer spot in the entire NAHL. His two power play goals on the weekend ties him with Mike Malatino for the team lead. His 52 points and 1.27 points per game are both in the top 20 of all NAHL scorers.
This is Suzuki’s second time winning the Star of the Week Honor this season. He earned it also in November for a stellar performance in Bismarck, highlighted by a two-goal, four-point performance to defeat Bismarck in overtime on the road. Fuji is one of two Bulls to claim a Star of the Week honor. Mike Malatino earned the season’s first such award in September.