University of Minnesota Athletics
Kangas Collects Second WCHA Rookie of the Week Award
3/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
For the second time this season, University of Minnesota freshman goaltender Alex Kangas has been selected the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Week.
Kangas made 26 saves in each of the Gophers’ games in last weekend’s series at Alaska Anchorage that resulted in a 2-2 tie and 4-1 victory. He stopped all 12 shots in the third period of Saturday’s win that lifted Minnesota to 14-13-9 overall and 8-11-7 in the WCHA.
For the season, Kangas ranks 12th nationally with a 2.14 goals against average and 14th with a .924 save percentage. Both numbers rank second among all Division I freshman goaltenders. He has started 12 consecutive games and posted a 1.84 goals against average and .932 save percentage over the span.
It is the third time this season a Minnesota rookie has won the league’s weekly award as Mike Hoeffel was selected after the series at North Dakota Dec. 7-8 and Kangas earned the award after facing Minnesota Duluth Jan. 18-19.
Minnesota concludes its regular season by hosting Minnesota Duluth on Friday and Saturday at 7:07 p.m. at Mariucci Arena.
