By Journal Sports Staff

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Northern Michigan University goaltender Atte Tolvanen has had quite an impressive career in Marquette and on Wednesday, he racked up another award.

Tolvanen was named WCHA Goaltender of the Month after the Wildcats finished 4-5 in November. Northern may have had a sup-.500 record during the month, but its netminder has been sharp. He shut out what was a very hot Bowling Green State squad and after blanking the now-No. 12/13 Falcons, Tolvanen followed that with another shutout, this one at home against Alaska-Anchorage. NMU (6-9, 5-3 WCHA) swept the series with the Seawolves and during a split with then-No. 20 Lake Superior State, Tolvanen came just short of his third shutout of the month when the Lakers scored with 12 seconds left.

Over the course of the month, Tolvanen had a conference-best 227 saves and played in more games than any other goalie in the WCHA. His 389 total saves are third in the nation and his three shutouts this season are tied for first nationally. With one more shutout, Tolvanen will tie the school record (12) and with 512 more saves, he’ll tie NMU’s career saves record.

The Wildcats host No. 20 Michigan Tech (8-5-1, 7-0-1) Friday at 7 p.m. They will then travel to Houghton Saturday to complete the home-and-home series.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.