For the fourth time this season, Aberdeen Wings goalie Jake Sibell, 21, has been named the NAHL’s Goalie of the Month as he continues his march towards a record-breaking season.
The 6’2″, 206 lb. native of Isanti, MN posted an 8-2 record in 10 starts during the month. Sibell faced a total of 261 shots in 599 minutes of action and made 248 saves, which was good for a .950 save percentage and also included three shutouts during the month.
So far during the 2020-21 season, the Niagara University recruit is currently the top goalie in the NAHL with a 1.21 goals against average and a .952 save percentage to go along with a 40-2-1 record for the first place Wings. His eleven shutouts this season have tied the NAHL single-season record.
During the 2016-17 season, he played in the NAPHL for the Omaha AAA 16U team.
“Jake yet again had another solid month for us,” Wings head coach and general manager Scott Langer said. “His consistent excellence allowed us to win the NAHL Regular Season Championship and the Central Division Regular Season title. Jake has been outstanding with his approach and our guys follow his lead. The accolades he continues to earn are well deserved.”
“I’m not really worried about any records right now. We know they are there, but we just want to keep doing what we are doing and everything will work out,” Sibell said. “Our preparation right now is 100% focused on trying to win the Robertson Cup. We have the same mindset every game and that is to go out there and give everything for one another. I think we have a special team and we have accomplished a lot, but we have an end goal in the mind and that is our focus right now. I think this honor is a reflection of how good of a team I have in front of me and how committed my teammates are to ensure our success.”
Payton Matsui receives Forward of the Month honorable mention
Matsui played in all eleven games the Wings saw in April, posting two goals and adding six assists. That positions him at the top of the NAHL’s top scorers list with 26 goals and 34 assists in 52 games played, a total of 60 points. Another game-winning goal in last weekend’s sweep of the St. Cloud Norsemen also puts him at the top of the NAHL with ten. He ended the month +6.
Trevor Russell receives Defenseman of the Month honorable mention
Russell also played in all eleven Wings games in April, notching three assists. So far on the season, he’s tallied one goal and 30 assists, which currently leads all defensemen in the NAHL. He also leads defensemen in power play assists (36) and has the third best plus/minus score (36). He ended the month +6.