University of Maine junior goaltender Albin Boija has had his struggles in the early going this season.
The second team All-American and second team All-Hockey East selection entered Friday night’s game with a 2.50 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage, which is a far cry from last year’s 1.82 GAA and .928 save percentage.
But Boija looked like his old self on Friday night, stopping all 29 shots to earn his second shutout of the season and eighth of his career in a 7-0 victory over Vermont.
He made 13 saves in the first period to enable his team to take a 1-0 lead into the intermission despite being outplayed. UMaine had nine shots in the period.
“I bobbled a couple of dump-ins but, other than that, I’m pretty happy,” Boija said. “I felt better today than I have been.”
Last season, Boija was one of four finalists for the Mike Richter Award which goes to the nation’s top goalie.
“I found the right headspace,” Boija added after Friday night’s win. “I’ve found the right perspective on life in general and then I’ve been letting it come.
“I’m in a good spot now,” he added.
He said getting off to a good start Friday night with 13 first-period saves, including one on a breakaway, gave him a good foundation for the rest of the game.
“That’s been the difference. In a lot of games, I’ve had a couple of quick goals [against me] in the first period,” Boija added. “But I was ready.”
UMaine head coach Ben Barr said Boija was sharp, especially in the first period when his team got outworked.