NAHL Announces Bauer Hockey Stars of the Week
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) announced today the Bauer Hockey Divisional Stars of the Week for the week ending December 29, 2024. Only players that are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the Divisional Player of the Week awards.
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Matthew Alberti, Goaltender, Janesville Jets
Second-year veteran of the Jets, Matthew Alberti saved 81 out of 88 shots on the weekend against the Chippewa Steel. Starting on Friday night, the Jets produced a 7-3 victory. Most of the scoring in this contest happened in the first and third periods. The game started with a goal by Chippewa’s skater, Tomas Trunda in the first 15 seconds of play. However, the Jets responded 10 minutes later with three goals within two minutes of each other. Heading into the second period Trunda puts another goal on the board for the Steel. However, the Jets extended their lead once it hit the third period. Janesville produced four goals in the third, while Chippewa was able to put one more goal on the board by Ryder McIntosh.
Heading into game two on Saturday night, the Jets took the lead in the first period with three goals versus the two goals scored by Chippewa. However, Janesville fell behind as Chippewa produced a goal in the second and two goals in the third. While Alberti did walk away from a loss on Saturday, the New York native finished the weekend with a .921 save percentage and a 3.5 goals against average.
"Berti has been strong in net for us all year," said Janesville's head coach, Brett Walls. "It was great to see his work and effort rewarded this weekend as we start the second half of the season."
South Division Star of the Week: Nikola Goich, Goaltender, Shreveport Mudbugs
The 6’5 netminder from Illinois was electric between the pipes for the Mudbugs. Nikola Goich produced his second shutout of the season on Sunday afternoon. The Mudbugs were facing the top of the South division, the Corpus Christi IceRays. Prior to this series, the IceRays were hot and were on a seven-game heater. Starting on Friday night, Goich was in the net for his squad. The contest stayed close between the two teams. Every time the Mudbugs scored, the IceRays were scoring moments later. As the teams battled back and forth, the contest went into overtime. With less than a minute on the clock Corpus Christi’s defenseman, Matteus Soderbom, scored the overtime game-winning goal. Shreveport walked away with a 4-3 overtime loss.
Moving into the matinee matchup on Sunday, the ‘04 goaltender was hungry for a win. The game was scoreless heading into the third period. With less than three minutes on the clock his teammates, Lucas Deeb and Bryce Boucher find the back of the net for the Mudbugs. Nikola finishes the matchup with a 26-save shutout. The third-year veteran of the Mudbugs ends his weekend with a 1.87 goals against average and .944 save percentage.
“Merry Christmas Niko! Both of our goalies were great this weekend against a good Corpus Christi team. Niko finished the weekend off right with a huge shutout performance Sunday after helping us get a big point on Friday,” said Shreveport’s head coach, Jason Campbell. “His play was confident and poised in both games he played. Niko and Gariepy both performed excellently during a tough three-game set on the road.”
2nd Star: Aden Gariepy, G, Shreveport Mudbugs
3rd Star: Sebastian Speck, F, Oklahoma Warriors
