HUNTERSVILLE, NC (January 8, 2019) – The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) today announced Liam Kerins of the Knoxville Ice Bears is the Warrior Player of the Week for December 31-January 6.
Kerins scored five goals, including two game-winners, added an assist and was +5 as the Ice Bears took two of three games last week.
In a New Year’s Eve tilt against Roanoke, Kerins scored twice, the last of which broke a 4-4 tie with less than five minutes remaining in regulation in the Ice Bears’ 5-4 win. On Friday, the Bolton, ON native scored Knoxville’s first goal in a 4-3 loss to Birmingham. Kerins saved his best for last on Saturday in Knoxville’s 5-4 overtime win over the Bulls. After Kerins scored Knoxville’s first goal of the night in the opening period, the Ice Bears were down 4-2 with less than two minutes remaining in the game. Knoxville then scored twice with the extra attacker to knot the game at four, including the tying goal with just eight seconds left on the clock. Kerins completed the improbable rally by scoring the game-winner just 1:15 into overtime to give Knoxville the 5-4 win.
Currently in his first full season as a pro, Kerins’ four game-winning goals are tied for most among rookies, while his 12 goals are tied for third-most among all players. He also ranks third (tied) among rookies with 23 points. Kerins played three seasons at RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology), earning Atlantic Hockey All-Tournament Team honors in 2015-2016.
Also Nominated: Nick Owen, Birmingham (3 gp, 1g, 3a), Tyler Howe, Evansville (3 gp, 1g, 1a), Jake Hauswirth, Fayetteville (2 gp, 3g, gwg, +3), Ryan Salkeld, Huntsville (3 gp, 1g, 3a, shg), Seth Ronsberg, Macon (2 gp, 2g), Robert Lepine, Pensacola (2 gp, 2a), Justin Greenberg, Peoria (4 gp, 2g, 3a, gwg), John Scully, Quad City (3 gp, 2g) and Colin Murray, Roanoke (3 gp, 2g, 3a)
