ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Already having been named to the All-Rookie team and first-team all-ECHL Alaska rookie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux has been selected as the Reebok ECHL Goaltender of the Year in a vote of coaches from around the league.
The 24-year-old Lamoureux finished second in voting for CCM ECHL Rookie of the Year but took the top goaltender honors after leading the league with 33 wins, a .923 save percentage, and a record-setting eight shutouts. He also placed second in goals against average (2.29) and minutes (3,071), capping his season with a 3-0 shutout of Utah on April 3 to seal Alaska's third National Conference and fourth West Division title in the last five years.
A second-team all-WCHA goalie in 2008 at the University of North Dakota, when he led the Fighting Sioux to the Frozen Four as the Most Outstanding Player at the Midwest REgional, Lamoureux was named the National Conference starting goalie at the 2009 ECHL All-Star Game and stopped nine of 10 shots in the first period, leaving with a 3-1 lead. He finished his collegiate career second all-time in GAA and save percentage, and set a school record by stopping better than 93 percent of shots in 2007-08.
Earlier this week, Matt Shasby finished third in voting for the ECHL Defenseman of the Year while Keith McCambridge placed fourth in the ECHL Coach of the Year balloting.
The Aces (45-24-3) finished 21 points ahead of this weekend's first round playoff opponent, the Utah Grizzlies (28-28-16). Utah snapped a seven-game losing streak to Alaska with a 5-2 in last Saturday's meaningless regular season finale. The Aces swept the Grizz in four straight games on their way to the 2006 Kelly Cup. Friday and Saturday's tilts at Sullivan Arena open the best-of-seven series. Both games will be broadcast live on KFQD AM 750, with Peanut Farm Pre-Game Show coverage beginning at 7 p.m.
The complete first round playoff schedule is as follows (all times AT):
Friday Utah @ Alaska 7:15
Saturday Utah @ Alaska 7:15
April 15 Alaska @ Utah 5:05
April 17 Alaska @ Utah 5:05
April 18 Alaska @ Utah 5:05 (if necessary)
April 21 Utah @ Alaska 7:15 (if necessary)
April 22 Utah @ Alaska 7:15 (if necessary)
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