Battlefords North Stars goaltender Darren Martin was named the SJHL's goaltender of the week for the period ending Feb. 23.
Martin won both of his starts last week as the North Stars attempt to catch the Kindersley Klippers for first place in the Kramer Division. Both wins came against the Notre Dame Hounds. Martin stopped 34 of 35 shots in a 5-1 victory over the Hounds Feb. 18 at the Civic Centre. He concluded the North Stars' road trip with a 35-save shutout of the Hounds in Notre Dame.
From Calgary, Alta., it is Martin's first season with the team. In 22 games played, Martin has a 12-7-1 with one shutout. He has a 2.34 goals-against average and a 0.923 save percentage on the season.
North Stars head coach Kevin Hasselberg said Martin is doing a "phenomenal job" as an 18-year-old player in the league and is still only breaking into the league.
"He is playing his best hockey going into playoffs," said Hasselberg. "That's all we're after. It certainly didn't come without some highs and lows in his game, but right now, he is playing extremely well and is getting the credit that is due."
This was the fifth time a North Stars goaltender won the award this season. Martin previously was named goaltender of the week for the first week of December. Fellow North Stars goaltender Michael Gudmandson has won it three times this season.
Battlefords finish up their season with a home-and-home series with the Kindersley Klippers this weekend. The North Stars play at home Friday night. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.
