Alaska skaters nab CCHA honors
Published Tuesday, November 25, 2008
FAIRBANKS — After sweeping a pair of games from the Ferris State Bulldogs last weekend in Big Rapids, Mich., a pair of Alaska Nanooks earned Central Collegiate Hockey Association Player of the Week honors.
The CCHA announced on Monday that senior Chad Johnson and freshman Justin Brossman were selected as the goaltender and rookie of the week, respectively. It was the first time either player has been honored this season.
Johnson made 69 saves as the Nanooks posted 3-2 and 2-0 victories against the Bulldogs. That included 39 saves in Friday night’s 3-2 win, when the Nanooks were outshot 41-21. He also stopped 30 shots in Saturday night’s shutout, his second of the season and third of his career.
Brossman had a goal and an assist, the first two points of his collegiate career, and had a +2 rating on the weekend. His goal 34 seconds into the third period on Saturday night turned out to be the game-winner.
In sweeping Ferris State, the Nanooks improved to 7-4-1 on the season and 5-3-1-0 in the CCHA. The Nanooks now have an 11-game unbeaten streak against the Bulldogs (9-0-2).
The Nanooks and Bulldogs square off again on Feb. 20-21 at the Carlson Center.
The sweep enabled Johnson to improve his record to 5-4-1 on the season, with a .940 saves percentage and a 1.69 goals against average. He ranks ninth in the country in goals against average, 10th in saves percentage and is tied for second with two shutouts.
He’s spent 602 minutes and 15 seconds between the pipes, good for 17th in the nation.
It marked the third time that Johnson has received CCHA honors. He was named Rookie of the Week twice during the 2005-06 season.
Prior to scoring the game-winning goal on Saturday, Brossman assisted on the first of two Ryan Hohl goals in Friday’s night’s 3-2 win.
With this week’s honors, four Nanooks have been selected as CCHA players of the week this season.
Dion Knelsen earned Player of the Week honors after the Nanooks won the Kendall Classic in Anchorage on Oct. 10-11, and freshman Scott Greenham was named Goalie of the Week after posting his second straight shutout in a win against Mercyhurst on Oct. 17 in the Brice Alaska Goal Rush at the Carlson Center.
The Nanooks return to action this weekend when the host the Lake Superior State Lakers in a two-game series at the Carlson Center. Games will start at 7:35 p.m., 30 minutes later than usual, due to the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational women’s basketball tournament being played in the afternoon both days at the Patty Center.
Contact the News-Miner sports department at 459-7581.
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WAY TO GO NOOKS!
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