Jakaitis named CCHA Player of the Month

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced yesterday that senior goaltender Jeff Jakaitis of Lake Superior State University has been named the RBC Financial Group CCHA Player of the Month for December.

In five December starts, Jakaitis posted a .968 save percentage and a 1.19 goals-against average. He currently ranks second nationally with a .953 save percentage and third in goals-against average at 1.19. He leads the CCHA in both categories.

Jakaitis began the month of December with a 31-save performance in a 2-0 win over Northern Michigan, the first for the Lakers in seven games against the Wildcats, on Dec. 1. The shutout was his third of the season and 10th of his career, which broke two-time NCAA champion Blaine Lacher's school record. Jakaitis stopped 49 of 50 shots in a 1-1 tie at Ferris State on Dec. 8 and 42-of-43 shots the following night in a 4-1 Lakers road win. By turning aside 91 of 93 shots over the weekend, Jakaitis broke another school record for saves in a series, which was previously held by Matt Violin with 88 in 2003. The performance also earned Jakaitis CCHA Goaltender of the Week honors.

After the holiday break, Lake Superior State competed in the Badger Showdown in Madison, Wis. Jakaitis stopped 37 shots for a 2-1 win in the opener against Providence on Dec. 29. It was the Lakers' first ever victory over the Friars, who held a 5-0-1 all-time edge in the series. Jakaitis made 25 saves in a losing effort, 3-2, against Clarkson in the tournament finals on Dec. 30.

Special mention for RBC Financial Group CCHA Player of the Month goes to Michigan State junior forward Bryan Lerg, Michigan junior forward Kevin Porter and Notre Dame junior forward Mark Van Guilder.