If one thing has been consistent throughout the Gustavus men’s hockey team’s recent success and seven-game winning-streak, it has been the play of its rookie goaltender John McLean (Eagan, Minn.). Gustavus has picked off two ranked teams in the process of winning its last three non-conference games. Within those wins, McLean has allowed just four goals and made 89 saves for a .957 save percentage. For his 3-0-0 performance, the McLean has been named MIAC Men’s Hockey Athlete-of-the-Week.
The Gusties took the ice against No. 4 UW-River Falls in their final game before the holiday break on Dec. 14. McLean made a total of 31 saves in the 2-1 victory, including back-to-back 11-save first and second periods. The Gusties held the Falcons scoreless on six power play chances, as McLean made 10 saves while UW-River Falls was on the power play.
The Eagan, Minn. native kicked off the 2012 calendar year with a 28-save performance in Gustavus’ 3-2 victory over St. Scholastica. He then capped the weekend by stopping 30-of-31 shots against No. 14 UW-Superior. The Gusties were able to hold on for a 2-1 win after their 6-8 goalie turned away 20 shots in the third period.
McLean has now won seven-straight games and is 8-3-0 overall. During that seven-game stretch, the freshman has a 1.57 goals against average and a .948 save percentage.
Overall, “Big John” ranks first in the MIAC and 10th in the NCAA in goals against average at 1.90. He also ranks second in the MIAC and eighth nationally in save percentage at .935.
The Gustavus men’s hockey team will be back on the ice this weekend with an MIAC matchup against Saint John’s. The Gusties will travel to St. Cloud, Minn. to take on the Johnnies at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13 before returning to St. Peter on Saturday, Dec. 14 for the series finale set to take place at 7:05 p.m.