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Metsa Named Finalist for Howie’s Hockey Best Defensive Defenseman
3/8/2023 11:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. — The 2021-22 recipient of the award, Quinnipiac University men's ice hockey captain Zach Metsa is back as a finalist again in 2022-23 for the ECAC's Best Defensive Defenseman honor, the league announced on Wednesday morning.
The Delafield, Wis., native started 33 games for the Bobcats, finishing with a plus-27 rating, good for tops amongst the team's defense core. He also blocked 33 shots on the year, good for third on the team.
He was a key part in all three trophies for Quinnipiac up until this point, but played a major role on both ends in the Bobcats' 4-3 victory over No. 12 UConn to clinch the Connecticut Ice Championship. He dished three assists on the offensive end but made a season-high four blocks to keep the Huskies from taking the lead late.
The fifth-year defenseman also had three blocks in the Friendship Four Final in Belfast, a 2-2 tie that led to securing the title in a shootout.
Metsa returned to Hamden after a decorated senior season that included him being named to the ECAC Hockey First Team for the second consecutive year, as well as the league's Best Defensive Defenseman after a nation's best plus-38 rating.
He will lead the Bobcats back out onto the ice on Friday, taking on Whitney Ave., rival Yale for the first game of a Best-of-3 ECAC Quarterfinal matchup. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m.
The Delafield, Wis., native started 33 games for the Bobcats, finishing with a plus-27 rating, good for tops amongst the team's defense core. He also blocked 33 shots on the year, good for third on the team.
He was a key part in all three trophies for Quinnipiac up until this point, but played a major role on both ends in the Bobcats' 4-3 victory over No. 12 UConn to clinch the Connecticut Ice Championship. He dished three assists on the offensive end but made a season-high four blocks to keep the Huskies from taking the lead late.
The fifth-year defenseman also had three blocks in the Friendship Four Final in Belfast, a 2-2 tie that led to securing the title in a shootout.
Metsa returned to Hamden after a decorated senior season that included him being named to the ECAC Hockey First Team for the second consecutive year, as well as the league's Best Defensive Defenseman after a nation's best plus-38 rating.
He will lead the Bobcats back out onto the ice on Friday, taking on Whitney Ave., rival Yale for the first game of a Best-of-3 ECAC Quarterfinal matchup. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m.
Players Mentioned
Defenseman
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