Charlotte, NC - The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) today announced Michael Richard of the Mississippi Surge is the Sher-Wood SPHL Player of the Week for January 25-January 31.

Richard, who captured SPHL Rookie of the Year honors with Twin City last season, scored three goals, including both game-winners, and added an assist as Mississippi pulled to within two points of first-place Huntsville over the weekend.

On Saturday, the St. Constant, Quebec native scored the first of his two game-winning goals midway through the third period to give the Surge a 2-1 win over Columbus. The Elmira College product continued his late-game magic on Sunday, scoring with 59 seconds remaining in overtime, as Mississippi rallied from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Pensacola 4-3.

He becomes the first two-time Player of the Week this season, having also captured the award for the week of December 28-January 3. Richard, who finished second in scoring for Twin City during his Rookie of the Year campaign, is currently fourth in the SPHL with 49 points and second in assists with 32.

Runners Up: Kyle Lundale, Columbus (2 gp, 1g, 1a, +2), Justin Rohr, Huntsville (3 gp, 2g, 1a), Travis Hanson, Knoxville (2 gp, 3g, 1a, +4) and Ryan Scott, Pensacola (3 gp, 2-1-0, 2.36 gaa,.933 save %, 1 shutout.