WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, are excited to announce that Taylor Gauthier has been selected as Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Month for March.
The Nailers posted their best points percentage (.855) in a single month in team history by going 11-1-1 in 13 games, and Gauthier was a major reason for the team's success. Taylor played in 11 of the 13 games, and finished the month with an 8-1-1 record (one no-decision), a 1.73 goals against average, a .949 save percentage, and two shutouts. Both Wheeling netminders combined to post a .900 save percentage or better in all 13 games during March. Gauthier earned his shutouts with 29 saves on March 13th against Adirondack and March 27th with 34 saves against Worcester. One of his top performances of the month came on March 28th, when he denied 49 of 50 shots in a 2-1 win over Worcester. Taylor ended up playing in eight of nine periods during that three-game weekend series against the Railers, and stopped 115 of the 117 shots he faced.
This is the Calgary, Alberta native's fourth season with the Nailers and fourth as a pro, and statistically, it is shaping up to be his best. Gauthier is on the verge of his second career season with at least 20 wins, as his victory on Wednesday improved his mark to 19-7-5. His 2.00 goals against average is the lowest of his career, and his .932 save percentage is the highest of his career. In addition to his success this season, Taylor rewrote the career goaltending section of Wheeling's all-time record book in March. First, he passed Andy Franck with his 61st win on March 4th in Rapid City (currently has 69). Then, he passed Franck with his 115th game played on March 20th at Trois-Rivières (currently has 120). Finally, he passed Peter Delmas with his tenth shutout on March 27th against Worcester.
This is Gauthier's eighth career ECHL achievement. He won ECHL Goaltender of the Year and was named to the All-ECHL 1st Team in 2023-24. He has also been selected as ECHL Goaltender of the Week five times. This is the first time Taylor has been recognized as ECHL Goaltender of the Month.
Gauthier becomes Wheeling's second goaltender this season to win ECHL Goaltender of the Month, as Jake Smith received the honor in November. This is the first time in team history that the Nailers have won Goaltender of the Week twice in the same season. This is also Wheeling's third monthly award of the campaign, as Mike Posma earned ECHL Plus Performer of the Month in November.
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