UConn G Rob Nichols Named Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week

From UConn:

STORRS, Conn. – UConn sophomore Rob Nichols (Dallas, Texas) was named the Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after guiding the Huskies to a win and tie this past weekend with the Maine Black Bears.  Nichols picks up his second HEA defensive player award this season.

Nichols helped the Huskies take three of a possible four points in the league standings this weekend.  The sophomore netminder stopped 70 of the 73 shots he saw over the two games.  On Friday night, Nichols turned away 41 Maine shots, matching his career-high for the third time this season as UConn posted a 2-1 overtime win at Maine.  Nichols made 12 saves in each of the first three periods and stopped another five in the overtime.  On Sunday, Nichols came up with 29 saves as the Huskies skated to a 2-2 tie with the Black Bears at home in the XL Center.

On the year, Nichols has seen action in 25 games posting a 2.32 goals against average with a .929 save percentage.  He ranks fourth in Hockey East and 12th in the nation in save percentage.  He owns a pair of shutouts on the season as well.

Nichols and the Huskies will face the No. 13 nationally ranked Providence Friars this week.  UConn will host the Friars on Wednesday night at the XL Center and then travel to Providence on Saturday night.

photo credit: ©2015 Ian Bethune