University of North Dakota goaltender Aaron Dell, who came within :20 seconds of posting back-to-back shutouts in two victories over visiting Robert Morris and also extended his shutout streak to 224:31 – the second longest mark in school history – has been named the Red Baron ® WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for Jan. 11, 2011. He also earned the award on Nov. 16 for his performance at Wisconsin.
A 6-0, 190-pound sophomore from Airdrie, Alberta, Dell stopped 63 of 64 shots on goal in the series for a .984 saves percentage, recorded five shutout periods, blanked the Colonials on all nine of their power-play opportunities, and earned the No. 2 star of the game in each contest. He stopped all 32 shots in North Dakota’s 8-0 win last Friday (Jan. 7) for his second straight shutout. He then lost his bid for a third straight shutout with just :20 seconds left in the third period on Saturday (Jan. 8) when Robert Morris scored an extra-attacker goal. Dell finished the game with 30 saves as the Sioux prevailed 2-1 to run their unbeaten streak to nine games at 8-0-1. Robert Morris’ late goal last Saturday ended Dell’s shutout streak at 224 :31 seconds, the second longest in school history and just 25 minutes shy of a 57-year old school record.
On the season, Dell ranks first in the WCHA in winning percentage at .775 (15-4-1), is second in goals-against average at 1.92, is fourth in saves percentage at .922, and first in minutes played at 1154:30.
Also nominated this week were: Dan Bakala, G, BSU; Mike Lee, G, SCSU; Justin Schultz, D, UW.