Mark Steenhuis (left) recorded an insane 9.5 points per game average in February. Boston Blazers forward Daryl Veltman becomes the first player to win Rookie of the Month honors in consecutive months since Brodie Merrill achieved the feat in 2006.
STEENHUIS NAMED PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Daryl Veltman wins Rookie award for second consecutive Month
03/05/2009
Buffalo's Mark Steenhuis has been named Overall Player of the Month for February, while Boston's Daryl Veltman has been named Rookie of the Month for the second time in as many months.After a stellar first month of the season, Bandits transition player Mark Steenhuis found a way to top his performance by re-writing the record books during February. After recording 32 points (17 15) in five games during the month of January, Steenhuis racked up 38 points (18 20) in one less game. His 9.5 points per game average helped the Bandits maintain the best record in the NLL (7-2). Steenhuis' first assault on the record book came on February 14 against the Toronto Rock. He scored four goals and added an NLL and Bandits single-game record 13 assists in Buffalo's 25-10 rout of the Rock. His 17 points also set the NLL and Banditss single-game record. He was named Overall and Offensive player of the week for the second time this season after his performance. One week later Steenhuis helped lead the Bandits rally to complete the season sweep of Toronto, something that Buffalo had never accomplished. Steenhuis scored a Bandits-single game record eight goals, including the game-tying and overtime game winning goals. He added two assists for his third 10-point-plus game of the season. Steenhuis is now the NLL leader in goals and points on the season and is six points away from breaking his career-high for points in a season.
Veltman, who also took home Player of the Month honors in January, led all rookies with 10 goals during the second month of the season, and added 13 assists and 35 loose balls. He becomes the first player since Brodie Merrill in 2006 to win consecutive Rookie of the Month awards. Veltman's performance helped lead Boston to a perfect 5-0 record in Februrary and a 7-3 overall record, which puts the Blazers one-half game behind Buffalo for first place in the East Division.
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