Rockford’s Crawford named player of the week

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass.
… The American Hockey League announced today that Rockford IceHogs goaltender Corey Crawford has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Jan. 11, 2009. Crawford stopped 95 of 97 shots in three appearances, going 2-0-1 with a 0.67 goals-against average and a .979 save percentage for the IceHogs last week.

Crawford began the week with an impressive relief appearance on Wednesday at Grand Rapids, allowing one goal on 38 shots as Rockford rallied from three goals down to earn a point in a 6-5 shootout loss. On Friday, he turned aside 34 of 35 shots in a 3-1 win over Chicago, his fourth win over the defending Calder Cup champions this year and the 100th victory of his AHL career. And on Saturday, Crawford made 24 saves for his first shutout of the season as the IceHogs defeated Toronto, 1-0.

In recognition of his achievement, Crawford will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming IceHogs home game.

Crawford is 12-5-2 with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage in 20 games for Rockford this season, his fourth professional campaign. A second-round draft choice (52nd overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2003, Crawford now has a record of 101-67-10 with six shutouts in 183 career AHL appearances. The 24-year-old Montreal native has also seen action in seven NHL contests with Chicago, getting his first NHL win and shutout vs. Anaheim on Mar. 5, 2008.

Other nominees for Reebok/AHL Player of the Week include Albany defenseman Jonathan Paiement, Binghamton left wing Denis Hamel, Bridgeport goaltender Nathan Lawson, Chicago right wing Spencer Machacek, Grand Rapids left wing Ville Leino, Hamilton center David Desharnais, Hartford right wing Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, Hershey left wing Alexandre Giroux, Houston right wing Jesse Schultz, Iowa right wing Troy Bodie, Lowell goaltender Jeff Frazee, Manitoba left wing Michael Grabner, Milwaukee center Nick Spaling, Norfolk center Zenon Konopka, Peoria defenseman Steve Wagner, Philadelphia right wing Jeffrey Szwez, Portland center Nathan Gerbe, Providence left wing Brad Marchand, Quad City right wing David Van der Gulik, Rochester center Janis Sprukts, San Antonio center Joel Perrault, Syracuse left wing Steve Kelly, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton left wing Janne Pesonen and Worcester goaltender Thomas Greiss.

Also see: Previous winners, Reebok/AHL Player of the Week