ITHACA, N.Y. — After capturing the honor as a freshman last season, sophomore Matthew Galajda has again been named a finalist for the ECAC Hockey Ken Dryden Goalie of the Year, the league announced Wednesday afternoon.
 
Galajda has come on strong in the second half this season, recovering from a slow start and then an injury-related absence. Since Jan. 1, he leads ECAC Hockey with a 1.59 goals against average and .934 save percentage, also posting a 8-3-3 record with three shutouts. Galajda was also recently named the ECAC Hockey Goalie of the Month for February.
 
Within the scope of the league, Galajda ranked second with a 1.66 goals against average and fifth with a .928 save percentage. He helped backstop the Big Red to the best team defense in the league for a second straight year, with the team as a whole average 1.86 goals against per game.
 
Other finalists for the ECAC Hockey Ken Dryden Goalie of the Year are Clarkson's Jake Kielly and Quinnipiac's Andrew Shortridge. The winner is scheduled to be announced Wednesday, March 20. Galajda is attempting to become the second repeat winner in just the last five years, joining Yale's Alex Lyon.
 
Entering the weekend ranked 10th in the nation in both major polls, Cornell starts its postseason run at 7 p.m. Friday in Game 1 of an ECAC Hockey Championship quarterfinal series against Union at Lynah Rink.