Monday, February 3, 2014

Lakers’ netminder Tappenden named Pizza Hut player of the week

Press Release

 THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced Monday that Fort Frances Lakers goaltender Devin Tappenden has been named Pizza Hut player of the week for the time frame concluding Feb. 2.

In three starts during the week that was the 19-year-old native of Markham, Ont., posted a 2-0-1 record helping the league-leading Lakers further solidify their grasp atop the SIJHL standings.

Tappenden began by helping his side salvage a point, despite being badly outshot, in a 2-1 overtime setback on the road in Minnesota where made 37 saves on the night on Jan. 28.

Three nights later he turned aside 29 of 30 attempts fired his way as Fort Frances knocked off second place Thunder Bay 4-1.

The Lakers’ netminder then wrapped up his award-winning week Saturday with 29 more stops in a 7-3 triumph over visiting English River at Ice for Kids Arena.

In all the six-foot-five-inch, 220-pound netminder finished up with 1.96 goals-against average for the week along with a .941 save percentage.

Also earning consideration for Pizza Hut player of the week was Austin Frank, (F) Minnesota Iron Rangers; Matthias Gardiman, (F) Thunder Bay North Stars Will Wickersham, (D) English River Miners and Alex Arnold, (D) Wisconsin Wilderness.

Of note the Dryden Ice Dogs did not play last week, thus did not have a nominee.

At the conclusion of the regular season the SIJHL’s most valuable player will be presented the Pizza Hut player of the year award and will also go on to be the league’s representative for the national Canadian Junior Hockey League player of the year trophy.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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