Loewen Named Atlantic Hockey Goalie of the Month

After dominating his competition in January, sophomore goalie Andrew Loewen was honored as the Atlantic Hockey Goaltender of the Month. Loewen set monthly school records with a goals against average of 0.99 and a save percentage of .969 in six January games, while averaging 31.3 saves per contest.

The sophomore started the month on a strong note, leading the Griffs to three crucial points against league foe Bentley. Loewen stopped 69-of-71 shots during the series and only a lost stick in the finale kept him from recording a shutout.

In the Griffs' next four games, Loewen set another school record, keeping opponents off the scoreboard for exactly 201 minutes of play. He started the run by holding Connecticut without a goal for the final 29:32 before recording consecutive shutouts against the Huskies and Army. Against the Black Knights, Loewen matched a season high with 40 saves to earn the victory. He then kept Army without a goal for the first 51:28 of the series finale to crush the previous school standard of 147:34, set by Dan Giffin during the 2005-06 season. During his scoreless streak, which is also the third-longest run in the nation this season, Loewen stopped 104-consecutive shots.

Loewen also excelled on the penalty kill during the month. He did not allow one power-play score in 26 attempts and helped the Griffs set school records by not allowing an extra-man goal in seven-consecutive games and 37-consecutive power plays.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba native has now recorded three shutouts this season. His monthly totals topped the previous school standards of a 1.28 goals against average (set by Sean Weaver in Oct. 2000) and a .957 save percentage (set by Dan Giffin in Jan. 2006).

Loewen earned Atlantic Hockey Goaltender of the Week accolades after both the Bentley and Army series. He has been honored by the league as goalie of the week four times this season, more than any other goalie in the conference. For the season, Loewen leads all Atlantic Hockey goalies with a save percentage of .923 and ranks third with a goals against average of 2.53. Against league foes, Loewen leads all goalies with a 1.89 goals against average and a .940 save percentage.

Loewen and the Griffs return to the ice this weekend, hosting Sacred Heart in a pair of Atlantic Hockey contests. Canisius and the Pioneers will square off on Friday and Saturday at the Buffalo State Sports Arena, beginning at 7:05 p.m.

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