Men's Ice Hockey

Kotai and Manzella Recognized Nationally

Augustana sophomore Josh Kotai and Michigan Tech freshman Ryan Manzella been named the Hockey Commissioners’ Association’s Co-Men’s National Goaltender of the Month and Rookie of the Month, respectively, for January, it was announced on Thursday.

Kotai (Abbotsford, B.C.) went 5-0-2 with a 1.39 goals-against average and a .958 save percentage in seven January starts to earn his second monthly national honor (October). He led CCHA netminders in wins, save percentage and saves per game (32.6), while ranking second in total saves (228).

Posting a 33-save shutout at Bowling Green on January 24, Kotai matched a career-high with 45 saves in a 3-2 Vikings win at then-No. 8 Colorado College on January 4. For the month, he had 25+ saves in six of his seven outings, while stopping 40+ in two. 



Manzella (Eagan, Minn.) posted a 5-0-0 record in six January appearances (5 starts), registering CCHA-bests in goals-against average (1.23) and shutouts (3). In 342:10 minutes, he totaled 132 saves (22.0 per game), stopping a season-high 31 shots in a 1-0 road shutout of then-No. 12 Minnesota State on January 18.

Turning in shutouts at Northern Michigan (22 saves) and against Lake Superior State (21 saves), Manzella notched 20 or more saves in four games during the month.


 
Mac Gadowsky (Army), Ryan Kirwan (Arizona State) and Jimmy Snuggerud (Minnesota) were selected HCA Men’s Co-National Player of the Month for January, while Tyler Muszelik (Connecticut) joined Kotai as Co-Men’s National Goaltender of the Month.

Manzella is the fourth CCHA player to earn national monthly recognition this season, joining classmate Logan Morrell (Michigan Tech), who was Rookie of the Month in December and Goaltenders of the Month Alex Tracy (Minnesota State) and Kotai in November and October, respectively.
 
Visit Hockey Commissioners Association's (HCA) website at HockeyCommissioners.com.