SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Syracuse Crunch goaltender Dan LaCosta has been named the CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending February 4, 2007.
LaCosta posted shutouts in each of his two starts last week as the Crunch extended their winning streak to four games.
On Friday night, the rookie LaCosta stopped 22 shots in a 5-0 win over the Springfield Falcons to earn his first career professional shutout. He was back in net on Saturday and again shut down the opposition, this time recording 31 saves as Syracuse blanked North Division-leading Rochester, 6-0. LaCosta’s personal shutout streak now stands at 155 minutes and 32 seconds.
In recognition of his achievement, LaCosta will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Crunch home game.
A third-round pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, LaCosta is 3-2-1 with a 2.29 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage in 11 appearances with Syracuse in 2006-07. The 20-year-old native of Labrador City, Nfld., is in his first professional season after four junior seasons with Owen Sound and Barrie in the OHL.
Other nominees for CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week include Albany left wing Mike Angelidis, Chicago center Cory Larose, Hershey defenseman Dean Arsene, Houston goaltender Miroslav Kopriva, Iowa right wing Vojtech Polak, Manchester defenseman T.J. Kemp, Manitoba left wing Jason Jaffray, Milwaukee center Rich Peverley, Norfolk center David Bolland, Portland right wing Matt Keith, Providence defenseman Matt Lashoff, Rochester center Janis Sprukts, San Antonio center Tyler Redenbach, Toronto right wing Brad Leeb, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton center Kurtis McLean and Worcester defenseman Brennan Evans.
Also see: Previous winners, CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week
