Former Piston named NCHC Goalie of the Week

With files from NCHC Hockey

Former Steinbach Pistons goaltender, Matthew Thiessen was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Goaltender of the Week.

Thiessen had his best weekend as a Bulldog last weekend, backstopping UMD to a split with Colorado College. On Friday, he made 28 saves, including 12 in the third period, and allowed only two goals in a tough-luck, 3-0 loss. The next night, Thiessen turned aside all 24 shots he faced, with 10 coming in the final frame, to record his first collegiate shutout in a 4-0 victory.

Thiessen finished the weekend with an NCHC-best .963 save percentage, stopping 52 of the 54 shots he faced. The Vancouver Canucks draft pick also posted a 1.01 goals-against average against CC, lowering his season GAA to 2.00. Thiessen is now 5-4-0 in nine starts this year and upped his season save percentage to .925.

During the 2017-18 season, Thiessen backstopped the Pistons to a Turnbull Trophy as MJHL Champions before he helped defeat the Nipiwin Hawks to capture the ANAVET Cup. After three years at the University of Maine, Thiessen is now a member of the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs.

Photo Credit: Clint Austin / Duluth News Tribune