SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Jeff Zatkoff of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins has been selected as the CCM/AHL Goaltender of the Month for November.
In nine appearances during the month, Zatkoff went 8-1-0 with a 1.21 goals-against average, a .955 save percentage and three shutouts to help the Penguins climb back into the thick of the race in the Eastern Conference.
Zatkoff allowed a total of 11 goals on 244 shots over the month, which began on Nov. 2 with a 33-save shutout in his return to Manchester, where he had played the previous three seasons. Zatkoff then made 37 saves, his personal season high, as the Penguins defeated Bridgeport, 5-3, on Nov. 4, and came back with a 1-0 shootout win vs. Binghamton on Nov. 7, stopping all 32 shots in regulation and overtime plus six of eight shootout attempts. After stopping 18 of 20 shots in his only loss of the month, Nov. 9 vs. Hershey, Zatkoff won his final five starts in November, including a shutout in Hershey on Nov. 21 and a 31-save effort vs. Toronto on Nov. 24.
A fifth-year pro out of Miami University (Ohio), Zatkoff ranks second in the AHL in wins (10-5-0), fourth in goals-against average (1.81) and sixth in save percentage (.930) in 15 appearances for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season. The 25-year-old Zatkoff was a third-round draft by Los Angeles in 2006 and has a record of 62-50-6 with 11 shutouts in 129 career AHL games. Zatkoff, who participated in the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic last season, signed as a free agent with Pittsburgh on July 1, 2012.
In recognition of his achievement, Zatkoff will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Penguins home game.
Also see: Past winners, AHL Goaltender of the Month
