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Northern Michigan University hockey goalie Beni Halasz atop CCHA for 2nd straight month

Northern Michigan University freshman goaltender Beni Halasz watches during a game earlier this season played at the Berry Events Center in Marquette. (Photo courtesy NMU)

MARQUETTE — Goaltender Beni Halasz of the Northern Michigan University hockey team was named CCHA Rookie of the Month for the second consecutive month, the league announced Wednesday.

It’s a perfect start for the freshman, considering the season is only two months old.

The CCHA noted in its news release about its players of the month that Halasz had a 4-2 record, 2.18 goals-against average and .912 saves percentage as he started all six of NMU’s games in November.

That led CCHA rookie goalies in wins, GAA and saves percentage, while ranking second in total saves and saves per game with 135 and 22.5, respectively.

The month included his first collegiate shutout on Nov. 11 against Bemidji State when he made 25 saves. He also had a career-high 32 saves at Lake Superior State on Nov. 5.

Beni Halasz

Halasz has already had several notable games in net for the Wildcats, NMU Sports Information noted in their news release about the award.

With his start on Oct. 8 at Colgate, Halasz became the first Hungarian-born player to play goaltender in an NCAA Division I game.

He rose to the challenge, stopping 27 of the 28 shots he faced for his first win at NMU.

After his shutout against Bemidji, Northern head coach Grant Potulny heaped praise on the freshman.

“No. 1, (Beni) is a great kid,” Potulny said. “He’s a fun-loving kid, he’s won the (locker) room over, and every day he brings it.

“He’s making all the saves he’s supposed to make, and he’s making some he probably shouldn’t make.”

Halasz has started in 12 of the 13 games he’s played in and has a 7-6-0 record with a .920 saves percentage and a 2.07 GAA.

Among all CCHA goalies, his saves percentage ranks him third and goals-against is good for fourth, which is also No. 2 in both categories just among goalies who have played in 10 or more games.

Nationally, his saves percentage ties him for 23rd and GAA is 16th.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.

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