SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Anders Nilsson of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers has been named the Reebok/AHL Goaltender of the Month for February. In seven appearances, Nilsson went 6-0-1 with a 1.26 goals-against average, a .955 save percentage and one shutout as the Sound Tigers remained the hottest team in the AHL.
Nilsson opened the month with a 23-save performance in a 6-2 win at Portland on Feb. 3. He stopped 29 shots in an 8-1 win over Springfield on Feb. 11 and made 26 saves in a 3-2 comeback over Adirondack on Feb. 18, then set a franchise record with his eighth consecutive win by stopping 20 shots in a 2-1 shootout victory over Hershey on Feb. 19. Nilsson then earned his first AHL shutout with 26 saves vs. Albany on Feb. 20, and he extended his scoreless streak to 141 minutes, 41 seconds during a 35-save effort in a 2-1 shootout loss at Springfield on Feb. 24.
Nilsson, who has not allowed more than two goals in a game while going 10-0-1 in his last 11 starts, was a third-round draft pick by the New York Islanders in 2009. The 21-year-old native of Lulea, Sweden, is 15-6-2 in 23 games for Bridgeport overall, ranking eighth in the AHL with a 2.32 GAA and sixth with his .925 save percentage. Nilsson made his NHL debut with the Islanders earlier this season, appearing in two games.
In recognition of his achievement, Nilsson will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Sound Tigers home game.
