University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Hockey
Goaltender
/ Men's Hockey
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Bench, LaFontaine Sweep National Goaltender of the Month Awards
12/3/2020 10:50:00 AM | Athletics, Men's Hockey, Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Minnesota swept national goaltender of the month honors for November as Lauren Bench and Jack LaFontaine were recognized by the Hockey Commissioners Association on Thursday.
Bench earned WCHA Goaltender of the Month honors for after leading the Gophers to a 3-1-0 record during the month of November. She also took home back-to-back WCHA Goaltender of the Week awards after backstopping the Gophers to a season-opening series split against Ohio State, including a 36-save shutout in her Gopher debut, and combining for 57 saves on 60 shots in a road sweep over Minnesota Duluth. Bench's 126 saves on 131 shots faced and her three wins led all goaltenders nationally; her 1.26 goals against average was third in the nation, and her .962 save percentage ranked fourth. The Eagan, Minn., native was one of five goaltenders across the country to pick up a shutout during the opening month of the season as well.
A native of Mississauga, Ontario, LaFontaine currently ranks first in the nation in save percentage (.961) and goals against average (1.00) and is tied for the national lead in wins (four) among NCAA goalies with more than one appearance this year. The alternate captain picked up his first career shutout in Minnesota's last game (a 2-0 win over Ohio State on Nov.24) and has now won six-straight contests for the Gophers dating back to last season. The senior has started 12-straight games entering the Michigan State series and has allowed two goals or fewer in each of his last nine starts.
Bench earned WCHA Goaltender of the Month honors for after leading the Gophers to a 3-1-0 record during the month of November. She also took home back-to-back WCHA Goaltender of the Week awards after backstopping the Gophers to a season-opening series split against Ohio State, including a 36-save shutout in her Gopher debut, and combining for 57 saves on 60 shots in a road sweep over Minnesota Duluth. Bench's 126 saves on 131 shots faced and her three wins led all goaltenders nationally; her 1.26 goals against average was third in the nation, and her .962 save percentage ranked fourth. The Eagan, Minn., native was one of five goaltenders across the country to pick up a shutout during the opening month of the season as well.
A native of Mississauga, Ontario, LaFontaine currently ranks first in the nation in save percentage (.961) and goals against average (1.00) and is tied for the national lead in wins (four) among NCAA goalies with more than one appearance this year. The alternate captain picked up his first career shutout in Minnesota's last game (a 2-0 win over Ohio State on Nov.24) and has now won six-straight contests for the Gophers dating back to last season. The senior has started 12-straight games entering the Michigan State series and has allowed two goals or fewer in each of his last nine starts.
Follow Gopher Athletics
Support Gopher Athletics
Support the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. Your support helps our student-athletes succeed athletically, academically, and socially. It takes just seconds to make a monthly or one-time donation. Thank you for your support! Give Now
Cub Plays of the Year
Monday, July 14
2024-25 Gopher Sports Year in Review
Wednesday, July 09
Kostas Zaltos
Wednesday, May 14
Gophers Spend a Day at CLA
Wednesday, March 26