Nappier Earns B1G’s Third Star

For the second straight week, the Big Ten bestows a weekly star on a Buckeye goaltender. Last week Sean Romeo took the prize. This week it’s his compatriot, Tommy Nappier, bringing home the B1G’s Third Star of the Week.

Nappier took over Ohio State’s net for the finale of last week’s series at Colgate. Romeo had just posted his second consecutive shutout the previous night. However, head coach Steve Rohlik stuck with his regular rotation and gave Nappier his usual Saturday start. The sophomore goalie made sure no one had reason to doubt that decision.

Nappier stopped 24 shots in his second whitewash of the season. He didn’t have much margin for error. Ohio State managed only one goal in Saturday’s tilt. But it was enough for the St. Louis, Missouri native as he put the Buckeye net on lockdown and secured the team’s second series sweep of the season.

Through six appearances this season Nappier owns a 1.32 GAA and .957 save percentage. He ranks fourth in the nation in GAA and second in save percentage. The numbers are extra impressive when you consider the turd-like quality of some of Ohio State's overall efforts. 

The Big Ten’s First and Second Stars of the Week went to Penn State’s Nikita Pavlychev (three goals and four assists) and Alex Limoges (two goals and four assists) for their roles in the Nittany Lions’ rout of Robert Morris.

The No. 6 Buckeyes (6-3-1, 1-1-0-0 B1G) remain at home this week to host Wisconsin (5-5-0, 1-1-0-0 B1G). Games are scheduled for Friday at 7pm ET and Saturday at 5pm ET.

Rankings Watch

The latest national polls have five Big Ten teams ranked in the top-20. Penn State tops them all at No. 5. The Nittany Lions move up after a productive series against Robert Morris. Ohio State improves to No. 6. Notre Dame and Michigan slip to No. 8 and No. 16, respectively. Wisconsin falls out of the rankings altogether and Minnesota, at No. 19 is in danger of following.