FSU's MacIntyre earns monthly CCHA honor

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced today that junior goaltender Derek MacIntyre of Ferris State University has been named the RBC Financial Group CCHA Player of the Month for February.

MacIntyre, a San Jose Sharks draft pick in 2004 who hails from Stanwood, began the month of February by making a season-high 38 saves, including 16 in the third period, of a 6-2 win over Ohio State on Feb. 3. The win, combined with a Ferris State victory the previous night when MacIntyre’s goaltending partner, sophomore Mitch O’Keefe was in net, gave the Bulldogs their first conference sweep of the season.

After O’Keefe played in a 2-1 overtime loss at Michigan State on Feb. 9, the 21-year old MacIntrye received the starting nod for the Feb. 13 rematch in Big Rapids. MacIntyre made 23 saves for the Bulldogs in a 2-1 victory over the then No. 5-ranked Spartans, which was Ferris State’s first home victory over Michigan State since March 1, 2002.

The following weekend, MacIntyre made consecutive starts in a sweep of Bowling Green. He made 29 saves in a 2-1 win over the Falcons on Feb. 16 before blocking 28 shots in a 5-2 Bulldogs victory on Feb. 17. His three wins in a one-week span earned him CCHA Goaltender of the Week honors on Feb. 19.

MacIntyre’s only loss in February came at the hands of No. 1-ranked Notre Dame, 2-0, on Feb. 24. Despite being outshot by a 35-15 margin, MacIntyre made 33 saves, including 16 in a scoreless first period, to keep Ferris State in the game and was named the third star of the contest for his efforts.

In his five starts in February, MacIntyre posted a 4-1-0 record with a .950 save percentage and a 1.60 goals-against average. Only three of the eight goals MacIntyre surrendered on the month were at even strength with the rest coming when the opposition was on the power play.

Special mention for RBC Financial Group CCHA Player of the Month goes to Notre Dame senior goaltender David Brown, Miami junior forward Ryan Jones and Western Michigan senior forward Paul Szczechura.