Philipp Grubauer named West Division star for March

A historical effort in net during the month of March has earned Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer the West Division “Star of the Month,” the NHL announced Thursday.

In an effort to honor frontline health care heroes, the league also celebrates Denver-area nurse Gina Minert along with Grubauer.

Compiling a 12-2-1 record, Grubauer became just the fifth goalie in NHL history to earn a dozen wins in a calendar month, helping the Avalanche to a league-best 27 points in March to reach the top of the West Division standings.

Grubauer compiled a league-leading three shutouts in the 15 appearances along with a 1.56 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage.

The 29-year-old netminder has played 30 games so far this season, ranking first in wins (22) and shutouts (5), third in goals-against average (1.78) and fifth in save percentage (.928).

Minert serves as the director of the mom/baby unit at Denver’s Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, where she has worked for more than two decades.

Among Minert’s generous and kind acts includes creating gift baskets for nurses and purchasing toys for children who have tested positive for COVID-19. She has also been instrumental in leading RMHC’s vaccination clinic during the pandemic.

Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov and registered nurse Crystal Wimmer (Central Division), Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby and registered respiratory therapist Darby Scarantine (East Division) and Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid and healthcare aide Fathima Aranha (North Division) were also named the NHL’s “Stars of the Month” for March.

Related

Rockies to call up pitching prospect Mason Adams just weeks after deadline dealBo Nix looked good to Sean Payton in his first appearance back on the fieldSean Payton provides encouraging update on Riley Moss and his rib injuryShedeur Sanders won’t be the Week 1 starter for the BrownsBroncos star CB Pat Surtain II again voted a top-10 player in the NFLThe illusion that the Nuggets are a contender won’t survive the playoffs