Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Sam Nelson makes one of his 74 saves in the Cobbers' sweep at St. Mary's over the weekend. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Coleman, d3photography.com)
Sam Nelson makes one of his 74 saves in the Cobbers' sweep at St. Mary's over the weekend. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Coleman, d3photography.com)
Posted: Dec 05, 2016

Nelson Named MIAC Player Of The Week

MOORHEAD, Minn. (12/05/16)—To say freshman Sam Nelson had a pretty good eight days in goal for Concordia would be an understatement. Nelson, who earned the Rookie of the Tournament award last weekend  at the PrimeLink Shootout in New York, was named the MIAC Player of the Week for his outstanding two-game performance at St. Mary's on Friday and Saturday.

Nelson becomes the first Concordia player to earn the MIAC weekly award this season.

Nelson stopped 74 of the 77 shots he faced in helping the Cobbers post a 5-1, 3-2 sweep over the Cardinals who entered the weekend unbeaten in conference play and winners of five of their past six games.

Nelson's wall-like play in the two games has guided Concordia to three wins in their last four games and to a 6-4-0 overall record. CC is 3-1-0 in the MIAC and tied for fourth place in the league standings.

Nelson made 36 saves in Concordia's 5-1 win at St. Mary's on Friday but it was his performance on Saturday that pushed him into weekly award-winner contention.

St. Mary's ramped up their offensive output in the second game trying to gain the split but Nelson was equal to the task – turning aside 38 shots and recording his fourth win of the season.

The Cobbers were outshot 40-25 in the game but because of Nelson were able to come away with the 3-2 win. Nelson also helped Concordia hold the Cardinals to 1-for-9 on power play attempts.

Nelson's play over the weekend helped him lower his goals against average to 2.51 on the year and up his save percentage to 92.8%. Nelson is currently tied for second in wins by a goalie in the MIAC  and fourth in save percentage.

In his last three games Nelson has gone 3-0 with a 2.00 goals against average and stopped 99 shots for a 94.2 save percentage. He has allowed three or fewer goals in four of the six games he has started this season.

Nelson, and the rest of the Cobbers, will be back in action on Friday, Dec. 9 when they host Wis.-Stout at 7 p.m. at the Moorhead Sports Center. The game will be the final contest for Concordia before the Christmas break.