Oct. 26, 2009
Farmington Hills, Mich. – The Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced today that Notre Dame goaltender Brad Phillips (Jr., Farmington Hills, Mich.) has been selected as the CCHA’s goaltender of the week for the week of October 19.
Phillips was 1-1 on the week, giving up just three goals for a 1.51 goals-against average while stopping 47-of-50 shots for a 94.0% save percentage and one shutout as the Irish defeated third-ranked Boston University, 3-0, before falling to Boston College, 3-2.
In the Oct. 20 shutout at Boston University, Phillips turned in a career-high 34 saves as he blanked the third-ranked Terriers, 3-0. For the junior goaltender, the win was his first of the season as he made 27 of his 34 saves in the first and third periods. In the opening stanza, Phillips stopped all 10 shots he faced as the Irish killed off five Boston University power-play chances. In the third period, the 6-2, 181-pound goaltender held off a 17-shot barrage from the Terriers to preserve the win and the shutout. In all, the Irish were eight-for-eight in killing penalties on the night.
Notre Dame returned home on Oct. 23 to face the 15th/14th-ranked Boston College Eagles with Phillips making the back-to-back start for the first time in his career. The Irish dropped a 3-2 decision to the Eagles as Phillips made 13 saves in the tight-checking contest.
For the season, Phillips is now 1-3-0 on the year with a 2.27 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. He is making his return to the Notre Dame goal this season after sitting out the entire 2008-09 campaign due to a knee injury that he suffered in the preseason and required surgery.
In nine career games to date, the 20-year old goaltender is 5-4-0 with a 1.87 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage with two shutouts to his credit.
Phillips and the No. 11/No. 8 Irish bring a 3-3-0 record into action this weekend, Friday-Saturday, Oct. 30-31 when they play host to the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Joyce Center. Friday’s game has a 7:35 p.m. start while Saturday’s Halloween start time is 5:05 p.m. The series is the CCHA opener for the Irish. Ohio State is 2-4-0 overall and 1-1-0 in the conference after splitting last weekend with Lake Superior State.