By Michael Caples –
Goaltender C.J. Motte had a strong December for the Ferris State Bulldogs, and he’s receiving national recognition for it.
The Hockey Commissioners’ Association named the Bulldogs’ junior goaltender their National Division 1 Player of the Month for December, after Motte helped Ferris State extend their unbeaten streak to 15 games heading into 2014.
No. 3 Ferris State is 14-2-3 overall and 10-0-2 in WCHA play this season, and Motte has played a huge role in their impressive first half.
During December, Motte, a St. Clair native, gave up only six goals in four games, while stopping 119 of the 125 shots he faced. He had eight shutout periods of hockey, and helped FSU kill off 18 of 20 man-advantage opportunities during the last month of 2013.
He helped the Bulldogs sweep No. 19 Lake Superior on the road and then stopped 28 shots to record a 2-2 overtime tie against little brother Tyler and No. 8 Michigan. Motte followed those performances up with a 2-0 shutout against Michigan State during the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game in East Lansing.
On the year, Motte holds a 14-0-3 record with a .912 save percentage and a 2.15 goals-against average.