Luka Named NAHL Defenseman of the Month; Florian and Kivlenieks Honorable Mentions
April 7, 2016 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Coulee Region Chill News Release
Nico Luka has been named Defenseman of the Month in the NAHL while forward Dom Florian and goalie Matiss Kivlenieks have been named honorable mentions.
Luka, native of Bartlett, IL, was a menace from the blue line throughout the month of March on his way to being named Defenseman of the Month. He scored two goals and nine assists, no bigger game coming on the 24th as he contributed four assists on six Chill goals in a victory against the Minnesota Wilderness. Other big games for the 2nd-year defenseman include the 4th against the Kenai River Brown Bears in which he scored both a goal and an assist and the 25th when he dished two helpers, one of which was on a power play just 47 seconds into overtime. Luka now has seven goals and 28 assists on the season, ranking 5th in assists and 6th in points amongst defenseman in the NAHL.
Florian, native Vlasim, CZE, was goal-scoring machine throughout the month of March. He kicked the month off strong on the 4th against the Brown Bears scoring twice. He also went on a five-game goal streak in which he scored six of his nine goals in the month. His lone goal on the 25th against the Wilderness was the OT game-winner. Now with 26 goals and 20 assists on the season, Florian is having his best year as a Chill.
Kivlenieks, native of Riga, Latvia, went 3-2 in March after winning Goaltender of the Month for the month of February. His two losses came, however, game in small margins; the 11th against Fairbanks Ice Dogs in a 2-3 OTL and on the 19th against the Janesville Jets 1-2 loss. Kivlenieks has been sidelined since the 19th due to an injury but looks to get back to full strength for this weekends games in a push for the 2016 Robertson Cup Playoffs.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 7, 2016
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- Topeka Blueliner Commits to Niagara University - Topeka Pilots
- Luka Named NAHL Defenseman of the Month; Florian and Kivlenieks Honorable Mentions - Coulee Region Chill
- Magicians Weekly - Minnesota Magicians
- Amarillo Bulls Weekend Preview at Odessa - Amarillo Bulls
- NAHL Announces Monthly Player Awards for March - NAHL
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