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Waterford native PJ Bridges named NAHL goalie of the month

MiHockey Staff
Waterford native PJ Bridges was named the NAHL's goaltender of the month today. (Photo from the Topeka RoadRunners' official site)

By Michael Caples –

Despite losing a close friend during the month of January, Topeka RoadRunners goaltender PJ Bridges performed tremendously.

The Waterford native was named the Brian’s Custom Sports NAHL Goaltender of the Month today, as the league honored him for an outstanding month between the pipes. Bridges played with a heavy heart after losing teammate, roommate and fellow Michigan native Peter Halash – a Catholic Central alum who passed away on Jan. 5 in a car accident.

Bridges recorded a 6-0-1 record with a 1.27 goals-against average and 94.8 save percentage during the difficult month.

“It was a hard month because I lost a really good friend and roommate in Peter,” Bridges said in a release from the NAHL. “We have known each other for a while now because we grew up playing hockey together in Michigan. It was an incredible loss and Peter was an incredible person.  However, it made me focus and rededicate myself. Just when I think times are tough, I think of what Peter went through and what his family is going through and it puts everything in perspective. Everything we are doing as a team from this point forward is dedicated to him.

“For the rest of the season, I will continue to work harder and work longer knowing it will pay off. I have some great teammates in front of me, which makes it easier for me to play better. I am really looking forward to playing in the Top Prospects Tournament and it was an honor to be selected.  I just want to give my team a chance to win the rest of our games. Longer term, I would like to play NCAA Division I hockey next year.”

Bridges currently leads the NAHL with a 1.34 goals-against average and ranks second in the league in save percentage (94.7 percent) and shutouts (six).

“PJ is such a strong leader and really has been the backbone of the team since his arrival,” said Topeka head coach Scott Langer in the same release. “He is so strong mentally, which makes him such an effective goaltender. We want to be in a situation at the end of the season where he is playing his best so we can be successful.”