Aspen native, Colorado College goalie Mbereko keeps awards coming, named NCHC Goaltender of the Week
The NCHC has announced that Colorado College sophomore goalie Kaidan Mbereko is the Goaltender of the Week.
Mbereko continued his stellar season by backstopping CC to a series sweep of then-No. 2 North Dakota, which completed the Tigers’ first-ever four-game, regular-season sweep of UND. The Mike Richter Award semifinalist racked up 66 saves to lead all NCHC netminders on the weekend, while allowing only three goals.
In Friday’s 7-1 rout, the Aspen native totaled 23 saves, including six short-handed and 12 in the first period, to earn Third Star of the Game. A night later, he was even better, making a career-high 43 saves, including 19 in the first period, to allow the Tigers to rally for a 6-2 victory. Mbereko earned First Star of the Game in the series finale, while making 18 short-handed saves Saturday as CC‘s penalty kill went 4 for 5.
In addition to leading the NCHC with 66 saves last weekend, Mbereko also led the conference with a .957 save percentage and a 1.50 goals-against average. Of his 66 saves, 24 came short-handed to help CC’s penalty kill finish 7 for 9, while 31 were made in the first period.
Mbereko improved to 18-9-1 in goal this season, with the 18 wins tops in the NCHC and fourth nationally. He upped his season save percentage to an NCHC-best .917 on the year, while dropping his GAA to 2.44, which now ranks second in the conference.
During his youth hockey days, Mbereko played for the Aspen Leafs and Rocky Mountain Snow Kings.
Photo/Casey B. Gibson
(February 19, 2024)