University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Goaltender
/ Men's Hockey
Photo by: Joseph Weiser/Big Ten Network
Close Lands B1G Second Star Honors
1/17/2023 10:30:00 AM | Men's Hockey
Third weekly award for the senior
ROSEMONT, Ill. - Golden Gophers men's hockey goaltender Justen Close earned Big Ten Conference Second Star of the Week honors for his performance in a weekend series at Notre Dame it was announced Tuesday.
The same week he was added to the 2023 Mike Richter Award Watch List for the best goaltender in NCAA Division I men's hockey, Close stopped 58-of-60 shots faced against the Fighting Irish, including all 38 Saturday to record his fourth shutout of the campaign. It was his highest save total in a shutout during his career.
Close stood tall in net and delivered in critical moments, coming up with three breakaway saves in the second period that allowed the Maroon and Gold to stay in front and preserve the shutout. The Kindersley, Saskatchewan, native helped Minnesota pick up four of a possible six points on the road and extend its lead in the conference to 10 points.
He improved his goals against average to 1.97 and his save percentage to .925, both of which are the best in the league and rank seventh in the nation. His seven career shutouts are the 11th-most in program history and he's done so in just 39 career starts. The senior has shutout an opponent in a game during every month this season.
Close earned the award for the third time over the past eight weeks in which the Gophers have competed.
The same week he was added to the 2023 Mike Richter Award Watch List for the best goaltender in NCAA Division I men's hockey, Close stopped 58-of-60 shots faced against the Fighting Irish, including all 38 Saturday to record his fourth shutout of the campaign. It was his highest save total in a shutout during his career.
Close stood tall in net and delivered in critical moments, coming up with three breakaway saves in the second period that allowed the Maroon and Gold to stay in front and preserve the shutout. The Kindersley, Saskatchewan, native helped Minnesota pick up four of a possible six points on the road and extend its lead in the conference to 10 points.
He improved his goals against average to 1.97 and his save percentage to .925, both of which are the best in the league and rank seventh in the nation. His seven career shutouts are the 11th-most in program history and he's done so in just 39 career starts. The senior has shutout an opponent in a game during every month this season.
Close earned the award for the third time over the past eight weeks in which the Gophers have competed.
Highlights: Gophers 2, Michigan 4
Friday, February 27
Highlights: Gophers 4, Michigan 2
Thursday, February 26
Highlights: Gophers 2, Notre Dame 3
Saturday, February 14
Highlights: Gophers 2, Notre Dame 2
Friday, February 13