Mbereko Named Goalie of the Week
Published on March 23, 2022 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
The United States Hockey League (USHL) announced Tuesday that Kaidan Mbereko has been named the Goaltender of the Week for Week 25 of the 2021-22 season.
Mbereko, 18, was awarded the honor for the second time this season (Week 22) after stopping 35 shots in Lincoln's 4-1 victory over the Omaha Lancers at Liberty First Credit Union Arena on Saturday night.
"I was able to flow with the game and be on top of things," Mbereko said. "Throughout the game, I was engaged and aware of everything in front of me. The guys played great, too, so that helped."
The Colorado College commit is tied for the sixth-most wins in the USHL (14) after appearing in 12 USHL games last year with Team USA in the Eastern Conference. Despite switching conferences and adjusting to a different style of offense, Mbereko's transition has been seamless.
"The adjustment moving from the East to the West has helped me improve my overall game," Mbereko said. "Coming in with the new coaching staff, they've given us the tools and everything we need to be prepared. I'm really grateful for Artt, Rocky and George. Not just for me, but what they've done for the entire team."
The first-year coaching staff in Lincoln consisting of head coach Rocky Russo, assistant coach George Lewis and goaltending/assistant coach Artt Brey have brought stability and cohesion to the goaltending position. Mbereko and Cameron Whitehead both rank inside the top 10 in the USHL in wins and save percentage.
"The relationship that Artt has with both goalies has allowed them to have a lot of confidence and you have to give Artt a lot of credit for his work," Russo said. "George has spent time with Kaidan and Cameron and I have regular meetings with them."
"As the head coach, it's my job to keep them accountable and sometimes have tough conversations with them," Russo continued. "Artt has done a really good job of establishing a level of comfort with them. They can go to him when they need him. He's played in this league and has been through the rigors of the playoffs a couple of times. That experience is really helpful for them."
Over the weekend, the Stars clinched a spot in the Clark Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017-18. With 12 games left on the regular-season schedule, Lincoln will be fighting for higher seeding in the Western Conference to determine where (and when) they'll start the postseason.
"The guys have worked really hard all year and we're really excited to get the opportunity to play in the playoffs," Mbereko said. "We have a chance to get the second seed, so we want to take every day like pros and lock in these last few weeks because we have a hard schedule coming up. It's going to be the ultimate test for us, but I think we're ready."
United States Hockey League Stories from March 23, 2022
- Lancers Fall by a Few in Sioux Falls - Omaha Lancers
- Cardona Commits to Mass.-Lowell - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Sioux City Musketeers to Sponsor Veterans on Future Midwest Honor Flight - Sioux City Musketeers
- Back to Iowa, Then Minnesota - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Hockey Fights Cancer Jersey Auction Set for Saturday - Lincoln Stars
- Mbereko Named Goalie of the Week - Lincoln Stars
- Shaugabay Takes Runner-Up in State Final - Green Bay Gamblers
- MIdWestOne Bank's "The Winning Edge" Returns in 2022 - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- USHL Weekly Report - Week 25 - USHL
- Steel Host Thirsty Thursday with Chance to Clinch Playoff Spot - Chicago Steel
- Lumberjacks Conclude 6-Game Homestand with Weekend Series against Green Bay - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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