SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Houston Aeros goaltender Barry Brust has been named the Rbk/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending March 9, 2008. Brust stopped 81 of 85 shots in three starts, good for a 3-0-0 record, a 1.28 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage as the Aeros extended their winning streak to seven games.
Brust began the week with a 32-save effort against the Eastern Conference-leading Providence Bruins, helping Houston to a 3-2 overtime victory on Tuesday night. He then stopped 23 shots in a 1-0 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday, his third shutout in 13 days. And on Sunday evening, Brust made 26 saves on 28 shots as the Aeros posted a 3-2 overtime win over the Rochester Americans.
In recognition of his achievement, Brust will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Aeros home game.
Carrying the load with AHL All-Star Nolan Schaefer on the Aeros’ injured list, Brust has gone the distance and allowed just nine goals during Houston’s current seven-game winning streak, and has won 10 of his last 11 decisions overall. In 29 games this season, Brust is 16-10-3 and ranks among the AHL’s leaders with a 2.21 goals-against average (eighth) and a .925 save percentage (fourth). Originally a third-round draft choice by the Minnesota Wild in 2002, the 24-year-old native of Swan River, Man., has a record of 44-31-4 with seven shutouts in 82 career AHL appearances with Houston and Manchester. Brust also appeared in 11 NHL games with Los Angeles in 2006-07.
Other nominees for Rbk/AHL Player of the Week include Albany goaltender Michael Leighton, Bridgeport defenseman Andy Sertich, Chicago center Andre Deveaux, Grand Rapids center Darren Helm, Hartford goaltender David LeNeveu, Hershey center Jason Morgan, Lake Erie right wing Brad Richardson, Lowell goaltender Dave Caruso, Manitoba goaltender Cory Schneider, Milwaukee center Rich Peverley, Norfolk goaltender Marc Denis, Peoria center Nicholas Drazenovic, Philadelphia center David Laliberte, Portland goaltender Jean-Sebastien Aubin, Providence left wing Pascal Pelletier, Quad City center Grant Stevenson, Rochester center Marek Zagrapan, Rockford right wing Jack Skille, Springfield forward Stephane Goulet, Syracuse center Zenon Konopka, Toronto defenseman Andy Wozniewski and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goaltender John Curry.
