University of Minnesota Athletics
Patterson Named WCHA Co-Defensive Player of the Week
12/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
Patterson went 1-0-1 against No. 2 Minnesota-Duluth this past weekend stopping 78 of 82 shots for a .951 save percentage. The Bulldogs entered the weekend series with the nation's second most prolific offense, averaging 3.94 goals per game. Patterson allowed two goals each game, holding Minnesota-Duluth to two goals beneath their season average on both Friday and Sunday. He posted a staunch 1.92 goals-against average in 125 minutes played and was a big reason why Minnesota successfully killed a five-minute power play in the waning minutes of Sunday's game. Patterson made a season-high 37 saves on Friday, but outdid himself on Sunday with a career-high 41 saves. He saved 15 or more shots in three of the six 20-minute periods between the teams. Patterson had 16 saves in the third period on Friday and 21 in the second period on Sunday before being named the No. 1 star in both games.
Patterson joins Mike Hoeffel, Taylor Matson, Nate Condon and Jay Barriball as being honored by the WCHA this year. Minnesota has had a player honored in four of the 10 weeks an award has been given out this season. Hoeffel was the Offensive Player of the Week for Nov. 23. Matson was the Offensive Player of the Week for Nov. 2, while Condon was named Rookie of the Week for Nov. 2. Barriball was the Offensive Player of the Week for Oct. 12.
