NIAGARA’S BRIAN WILSON NAMED ROOKIE OF THE WEEK BY ATLANTIC HOCKEY
WINTHROP, Mass. – Niagara freshman goaltender Brian Wilson earned his third Atlantic Hockey weekly award of the season on Tuesday. Wilson was named the Atlantic Hockey’s Rookie of the Week after leading the conference in goals-against average (1.01) and tying for the save percentage lead (.962) in a 1-1 week for the Purple Eagles. Niagara capped the week by helping Wilson to his first career shutout, as the Pickering, Ontario native blanked the Holy Cross Crusaders in a 6-0 win on Jan. 20.
In the first game of last week’s series with Holy Cross, Wilson turned away 25 of 27 shots before the Purple Eagles yielded an empty-net goal in a 3-1 loss. He made 26 stops, including 15 in a frenetic second period, to collect his first shutout as a Purple Eagle in a 6-0 win on Jan. 20.
Wilson, who has started Niagara’s last 21 games, has more starts this season (22) than any other freshman goaltender in the country. Wilson improved his season totals to 9-11-2 with a 2.65 goals-against average and .905 save percentage; in Atlantic Hockey competition, he is second in the league in goals-against average (2.34) and fifth in save percentage (.912). This is Wilson’s second Rookie of the Week honor from Atlantic Hockey this season; he was also named the league’s Goaltender of the Week on Oct. 31 and was the Rookie of the Month for November.
Catch Wilson and the Purple Eagles in action this weekend at Dwyer Arena. Niagara takes on the Air Force Falcons at 7:05 p.m. on both Friday, Jan. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 27. Fans can skate with the Purple Eagles at Dwyer after Saturday’s game; a limited number of skates will be available for rental. Paul Hamilton has the play-by-play call both nights on WLVL 1340 AM.
