Valtonen Named MASCAC Goalie of the Week

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State junior goalkeeper Valtteri Valtonen (Helsinki, Finland) was named the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Goalie of the Week as he compiled 72 saves for a 1.96 goals against average in a 1-1 week for the Owls.

Valtonen dominated in net this past Saturday, collecting 43 saves in a 4-0 shutout victory over Fitchburg State, including a 19-save second period which allowed the Owls to double their lead from two to four goals. It was the sixth time this season that Valtonen has stopped 40 or more shots in a game. He also tallied 29 saves in an overtime setback to Framingham State on Thursday.

On the season, Valtonen leads the MASCAC in save percentage (.932) and total saves (612). The Helsinki native owns a 2.80 goals against average on the year, which is third in the conference ranks.  

Westfield State (7-9-1, 2-3 MASCAC), which has won two of their last three games, will travel to Post University in their next game tomorrow at 8:00 P.M. Their next conference game will be against UMass Dartmouth (6-10-2, 4-6-1 MASCAC) on Thursday with puck drop slated for 7:30 P.M. The last time these two teams played was Saturday, December 3 as the Owls edged the Corsairs 2-1 at Amelia Park Arena where Valtonen logged 46 saves.