Kessler Receives Second Consecutive Nod as ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the Week

Pictured: Christina Kessler stands third in the nation with a 1.25 goals-against average.
Photo courtesy: Kevin Burns Photography

Complete ECAC Hockey Release

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – After recording back-to-back shutouts against No. 2 Minnesota at Bright Hockey Center last weekend, senior Christina Kessler of the sixth-ranked Harvard women’s hockey team has been honored as the ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the Week for the second straight time.

Kessler, a native of Oakville, Ont., now has four shutouts on the season after holding Minnesota scoreless in two games Dec. 4-5. She stopped all 24 shots against the Golden Gophers in a 1-0 Harvard win Friday and then turned away all 29 attempts the following afternoon in a 0-0 tie. Entering last weekend, Minnesota had not been shut out since the 2006-07 season. Kessler, who has 25 career shutouts, also helped the Crimson hold Minnesota scoreless on seven power-play attempts.

Kessler ranks third in the nation with a 1.25 goals-against average and a save percentage of .950, having stopped 286 of 301 shots faced. She also boasts a 7-3-2 overall record this year and is Harvard's all-time shutout leader with 25 clean sheets.

No. 6 Harvard will close out the 2009 calendar year by hosting Connecticut at Bright Hockey Center Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.