BAck to back shutouts earn Russell NAHL Defensive Player of the Week
February 23, 2005 - North American Hockey League (NAHL) News Release
Trying to hold off the Wichita Falls Wildcats for the final playoff spot in the NAHL South, the Springfield Jr. Blues got some clutch goaltending this weekend from Wes Russell, who led them to a pair of shutout victories over their rivals the Springfield Spirit. Stopping all 66 shots that came his way, Russell has been selected as the Sher-wood NAHL Defensive Player of the Week for Week 20 of the season. In the process, the Jr. Blues grabbed a five point lead over the Wildcats, while Wichita Falls has two games in hand. On Friday night, Springfield, Illinois, native stopped all 31 Spirt shots and seven power plays in a 3-0 victory. The following night, the Spirit fired 35 shots at Russell -- 29 over the final two periods -- but he turned them all aside again, stopping another six man advantage situations, in a 2-0 whitewash. Russell was also selected Player of the Week for Week 16, which ended January 23. While this is his second selection, these were his first two shutouts of the season -- and they couldn't have come at a better time for the Jr. Blues.
Runners-up: Jason Kearney, Soo goaltender, stopped all 17 shots in a shutout on Sunday against Toledo and allowed only one goal on 29 shots Friday in an eventual shootout loss to Cleveland. Rafael Rodriguez, Santa Fe defenseman, was a plus-6 in two games against Central Texas, delivering a few tempo-setting hits and blocking eight shots.
Also nominated: Matt Krug, Texas; Graham McManamin, Bozeman; Chris Smith, Youngstown.
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North American Hockey League Stories from February 23, 2005
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- Blizzard splits pair, remains in NAHL West playoff chase - Alexandria Blizzard
- Rookie Johnson headed to Dartmouth - Springfield Jr. Blues
- BAck to back shutouts earn Russell NAHL Defensive Player of the Week - NAHL
- Home games this weekend more important than ever - Texas Tornado
- Dog Pound Weekly - Bozeman Icedogs
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