Parker Milner has spent a good portion of the 2011-2012 hockey season sharing time in net with senior Chris Venti and freshman Brian Billett. It’s starting to look like those days are behind him, following a two week stretch that has seen the Eagles go 6-0 with him between the pipes. The seven goals he has allowed in the past six games have helped raise his save percentage to a team best .914, and gives the Eagles a solid foundation on which to build yet another title run.
Parker Milner has established himself as a solid foundation for another playoff run. (Photo Credit: Dan Hickling)
Milner’s performance in the last week, in particular, earned him Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week honors, in recognition of his performance in three wins against nationally ranked teams, Boston University and Merrimack (twice). His two goals allowed against the Terriers came in almost 80 minutes of play, which saw the Eagles claim the Beanpot Title for the third year in a row on Bill Arnold’s winner with 6.4 seconds to play in overtime. Milner stopped 79 of 84 shots for 1.50 GAA and a .940 save percentage throughout the week that he was recognized.
In the past, the Eagles have used the Beanpot as a momentum builder heading into the Hockey East tournament and the rest of the postseason, and they seem to be playing their best hockey of the year right now. The Eagles play a home and home against Providence this weekend, and close out the season with two games at Kelly Rink against Vermont next weekend, before the Hockey East tourney begins on March 9th. If Milner can keep up his play of late, the Eagles are poised to lock down a top seed in the NCAA tournament – they’re currently #1 in the PairWise rankings – and pursue another title for their 900 win coach.
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