Written by By KEVIN GORDON Sentinel Assistant Sports Editor
Friday, 06 November 2009
Andrew Hammond is starting to emerge as a solution to Bowling Green's goaltending problems.
The Bowling Green freshman has a 2.61 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage in his last three games.
Hammond has started the last three games and is expected to start tonight at Ferris State in the opener of a Central Collegiate Hockey Association series. The teams play tonight at 7:05 and Saturday at 5:05.
"He's looked very solid," BG coach Dennis Williams said. "He challenges the shooter and is square to the puck. He's making the saves he should make and he's making the tough saves that are difference-makers."
Hammond has a 3.46 goals-against and a .908 save percentage in five games, including four starts.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder stopped 37-of-41 shots in his debut at Minnesota-State Oct. 10. He wasn't sharp in his next two appearances against the U.S. Under-18 Team and in a relief stint against Providence, but he's been outstanding since.
BG was last in the CCHA last season with an .875 save percentage and junior Nick Eno is off to a tough start with a 4.94 goals-against and a .877 save mark.
Hammond's been busy, facing 37.6 shots every 60 minutes.
The Falcons are 0-5-1 overall, while Ferris is 5-3.
"I just hoped to get some starts," Hammond said. "It's taken a lot of hard work to get this far and it's going to take even more hard work the rest of the season. I want to take advantage of every start I get.
"I've been comfortable all along with the whole environment. I don't think there was much of an adjustment. Everything about coming here has been very positive."
