Brandt Defensive Player of the Week!

[dagies]

From the UND official site:

Sioux goalie Jake Brandt named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week

11/25/2002

Brandt extends record to 6-0

Jake Brandt has three shutouts this season.

Grand Forks, N.D.--UND goalie Jake Brandt (So., Roseau, Minn.), who ran his scoreless streak to 177:10 and posted five shutout periods while backstopping the Fighting Sioux to a 2-0, 3-2 sweep over visiting Wisconsin last weekend, has been named the WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for Nov. 25.

Brandt's 22-save, 2-0 shutout over the Badgers on Friday at Ralph Engelstad Arena was his second straight in WCHA play.

Brandt then earned the start in goal again on Saturday and blanked the UW over the first 47:34 to extend his run of scoreless periods to eight, as the Sioux posted a 3-2 victory to gain the weekend sweep. Brandt had a .944 saves percentage in the series and helped blank the Badgers on all seven power plays.

Owner of a perfect 6-0-0 overall record this season, Brandt is second among WCHA goaltenders for all games with a 1.85 goals against average.

North Dakota, now 11-1-0 on the season, remains at home this week to host WCHA rival Minnesota State on Nov. 29-30.

[dagies]

We talk about concern at goaltender.

What would someone say about Brandt if they just looked at his stats so far this year.

6-0-0

1.85 avg

3 shutouts, dang near 4.

.899 sv%

[OETKB]

There was some concern about goaltending from the start, but it was the meltdown in SCSU that really got people talking about goaltending as the major weakness on the team. Honestly, I never felt like there was anything wrong with our goalies that time & confidence wouldn't fix.

The maddening thing is that other teams' tenders are playing so well against UND. Even though the Sioux have won 5 straight, the games have been close because of opponent goalies.

Here's hoping Brandt has found his concentration & confidence! And that this takes some pressure off Siembida, so he plays well, too.