The NCHC has announced that Colorado College freshman Kaidan Mbereko is the NCHC Goaltender of the Week.

Mbereko played a key role in backstopping Colorado College to three points at Omaha last weekend.

On Friday, he made 36 saves, including a combined 18 in the third period and overtime, while allowing only three goals in a 3-2 overtime defeat.

The next night, Mbereko tied his career high with 40 saves in a 2-2 overtime tie, including 14 saves in each of the final two periods of regulation. He then made two more stops in the shootout to allow CC to win the shootout and earn two points in the standings.

Mbereko was tabbed First Star of the Game on Saturday, with 11 of his 40 saves coming with the Tigers short-handed.

The Aspen native ended the weekend with 76 saves on 81 shots faced for a .938 save percentage, while compiling a 2.38 goals-against average. He posted an 0-1-1 record, with a shootout win and an overtime loss. He made 15 of his saves short-handed, helping the Tigers go 6 for 8 on the penalty kill against the Mavericks in the series.

On the season, Mbereko improved his save percentage to .923, which is third in the NCHC, while lowering his GAA to 2.45. He is now 6-12-2 this season in 22 games with three shutouts.

During his youth hockey days in Colorado, Mbereko played for the Aspen Leafs and Rocky Mountain Snow Kings.

Photo/Casey B. Gibson

(February 14, 2023)