Elmira Jackals goalie Brian Stewart was named the goaltender of the month in the East Coast Hockey League earlier this month.
The Burnaby backstopper went 7-1-1 with one shutout and a 1.62 goals against average in nine appearances for the Jackals in March.
Stewart also posted an eye-popping 0.937 save percentage during that ninegame span to help the New York AA affiliate to both the NHL Anaheim Ducks and the Ottawa Senators to the Atlantic Division championship. Elmira is also the No. 1 seed in the Eastern conference heading into the Kelly Cup playoffs.
The 26-year-old Stewart opened the month with three straight wins, including his first shutout of the season on March 4 against Reading.
After his only regulation loss of the month mid-March to the Florida Everblades, Stewart reeled off four consecutive wins, including a 40-save performance in a 3-2 victory at Wheeling on March 25. Stewart allowed two goals or less in each of his eight appearances during the month.
The 6-4 keeper is currently third in the league with 26 wins, while his 0.917 save percentage is ninth overall. His 2.56 goals against average is 10th in the league.
Stewart has played for three teams and appeared in 69 career games in the East Coast league, posting an overall record of 46172, including a pair of shutouts.
Last season, Stewart was named to the East Coast all-rookie team after leading the league with a 0.927 save percentage and finishing second with a 2.25 goals against.
Stewart stopped 45 shots and was named the first star in a 3-1 win over the Everblades in Game 1 of the best of seven secondround playoff.
Elmira currently trails No. 5 seed Florida 2-1 in the Eastern conference best-of-seven semifinal.
