HUNTERSVILLE, NC (March 21, 2023) – The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) announced today that Michael Herringer and Conor O’Brien of the Fayetteville Marksmen have been named the Warrior/SPHL Co-Players of the Week for March 13-19.
Herringer and O’Brien combined to go 3-0-0 with Herringer posting a 2-0-0 record, 1.14 gaa, and a 0.962 save percentage while O’Brien went 1-0-0 with a shutout, 1.50 gaa (was replaced in Thursday’s game after 1st period), and a 0.935 save percentage.
During Thursday’s game, Herringer came on in relief of O’Brien after two first-period goals. He went on to be a brick wall in between the pipes as he stopped all 20 shots he faced in the final three periods including overtime. In the shootout, he turned away four of the six shots he faced as Fayetteville completed the comeback over Pensacola 3-2 in front of a sold-out SPHL record 9,500 kids on education day. The win was one to remember for Herringer as it was his first career professional victory. On Friday night, Herringer turned away 30/32 shots in his first career start in net as the Marksmen jumped out to a 5-0 lead before eventually defeating Pensacola 5-2.
In Sunday’s matinee, O’Brien was phenomenal as the Netminder stopped all 19 shots he faced as he picked up his second shutout of the season in the Marksmen’s 2-0 victory over the Pensacola Ice Flyers. With the victory, Fayetteville completed the weekend sweep of the Ice Flyers and moved ahead of them in the standings as the race for the final playoff spots heats up with only six games remaining.
On the season, Herringer who hails from Comax, BC has a 2-0-0 record with a 0.99 gaa, and a 0.966 save percentage over three games played this season. Conor O’Brien who is from Pinellas Park, FL is 6-5-2 this season with a 3.02 gaa, and a 0.910 save percentage and two shutouts for the Marksmen.
Other nominees for the Warrior Player of the Week were: Hayden Stewart, Birmingham, (1-0-0, SO, 29 saves), Dean Balsamo, Knoxville (2g, 4a, -3, 6 pts), CJ Hayes, Macon (2g, 6a, +6), Brad Aravantis, Pensacola (0-2-1, 2.88 gaa, 0.877 sv%), Mac Jansen, Roanoke (2g, 2 ppg, gwg)
