Bruckler Named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week
December 09, 2003 | Men's Hockey
Goaltender Bernd Bruckler, whose strong play in the nets led to the University of Wisconsin's successful conference road series at University of Denver last weekend, has been named the Red Baron WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for Dec. 8-14.
A 6-1, 192-pound junior from Graz, Austria, Bruckler posted five shutout periods in the two-game series, allowed just one even-strength goal in 125:00 of action, and stopped 53 of 56 shots on goal for a .946 saves percentage as the Badgers extended their nation1s best unbeaten streak to 12 games (8-0-4) and improved to 9-3-4 overall.
A Philadelphia Flyers (National Hockey League) draftee, Bruckler made 31 saves in the 2-2 tie last Friday (Dec. 5) night at Magness Arena, then made 22 more stops in Wisconsin's 3-1 win last Saturday (Dec. 6) evening as the Badgers snapped their nine-game winless streak against the Pioneers.
On the season, Bruckler sports a 7-3-4 record, a 2.42 goals-against average, and a .911 saves percentage. He also currently ranks third on the UW's career goals-against list with a mark of 2.79.
Also nominated were: Spence Gilchrist, D, UAA; Weston Tardy, D, CC; John Scott, D, MTU; and Adam Berkhoel, G, Denver.
