Nichols collects third star

Wenatchee Wild hockey

by Submitted Ed Topoleski
| March 2, 2012 5:00 AM

WENATCHEE - Goaltender Robert Nichols was named the third star of the week Monday by the NAHL after he helped the Wenatchee Wild sweep a pair of games from the Topeka RoadRunners over the weekend.

The selection was Nichols' third weekly star honor of the season. He was named the league's first star on Jan. 17 and was the third star on Sept. 27.

Nichols backstopped both of Wenatchee's wins over Topeka last weekend. He made 53 saves on 55 shots in the 2-game series. He stopped 19-of-20 shots Friday in a 4-1 victory.

The following night he made a season-high 34 saves on 35 shots and denied 5-of-7 Topeka shooters in the shootout to pick up his 19th win of the season in a 2-1 Wild victory.

"Robbie should get more credit for our success," said Wild head coach John Becanic. "Although we are a defense-first team, it all has to start in goal and Robbie solidified that this weekend."

A Dallas native, Nichols is statistically the best goalie in the NAHL. He owns the best goals-against average (1.58) and save percentage (.937) in the league.

Nichols has posted a single-season team-best seven shutouts this season and trails only Janesville's Tony Kujava in the category (9). He has won his last four starts and owns a 19-5-3 record.

"Robbie's something else," said Wild forward Trace Redmond, who recorded a personal season-high 3-point contest in the Wild's 4-1 game one win over the RoadRunners. "It's nice to have someone you can always count on. He always makes the big save and gets the guys going."

The Wild will host Fresno this Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's faceoff is set for 7:05 p.m. Sunday's game will begin at 5:05 p.m.