goaltending key for ohl final game seven
May 13th, 2013
Move over Mark Scheifele.
Step aside Bo Horvat.
The 2013 Ontario Hockey Final will come down to a battle between the goalies. On one side, you have Anthony Stolarz of the London Knights. On the other, you have Mathias Niederberger of the Barrie Colts.
Both goaltenders began as definite starters in their teams playoff runs. That has since changed as the playoffs tapered on. Stolarz was on the Knights' bench for their must win games 5 and 6. Niederberger, on the other hand, was yanked by Dale Hawerchuk in both those games.
Back in London, Jake Patterson who spent the entire 2012 playoffs on the bench, as backup to Michael Houser, was called into action for games 5 and 6. The Sault Ste. Marie native delivered with two key victories, despite letting in four goals in each of the games.
In these stages of the playoffs though, winning, is all that matters.
Niederberger, a German overager, has one shot at winning an OHL title: Stolarz and Patterson have another shot next season but the London duo would not want to be on the losing side Monday evening.
Neither will Alex Fotinos.
Fotinos was called upon in relief of Niederberger and he's done alright. The Toronto native hasn't had too much to do in net though, as the Barrie Colts are usually at their offensive and defensive best in the final 20 minutes of a game.
Expect Jake Patterson and Mathias Niederberger to get the nod for game 7 though. Niederberger brought the Colts this far in the playoffs, and they'll need him to deliver one last time. Patterson meanwhile, hasn't shown too many signs of rust after a 54 day layoff between games, prior to game 5 last Friday evening.
While the likes of Bo Horvat, Mark Scheifele, Andreas Athanasiou and Max Domi can be depended upon for big performances, in this winner takes all game 7, the battle will be won, or lost, in net.
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2013 OHL Playoffs Goalie Stats
LONDON:
Anthony Stolarz: 1,115 mins, 2.53 GAA, 0.923 save percent and 1 SO in 18 games.
Jake Patterson: 157 mins, 3.82 GAA, 0.865 save percent and 0 SO in 3 games.
BARRIE:
Mathias Niederberger: 1,253 mins, 2.59 GAA, 0.927 save percent and 2 SO in 21 games.
Alex Fotinos: 29 mins, 2.06 GAA, 0.909 save percent and 0 SO in 2 games.
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Move over Mark Scheifele.
Step aside Bo Horvat.
The 2013 Ontario Hockey Final will come down to a battle between the goalies. On one side, you have Anthony Stolarz of the London Knights. On the other, you have Mathias Niederberger of the Barrie Colts.
Both goaltenders began as definite starters in their teams playoff runs. That has since changed as the playoffs tapered on. Stolarz was on the Knights' bench for their must win games 5 and 6. Niederberger, on the other hand, was yanked by Dale Hawerchuk in both those games.
Back in London, Jake Patterson who spent the entire 2012 playoffs on the bench, as backup to Michael Houser, was called into action for games 5 and 6. The Sault Ste. Marie native delivered with two key victories, despite letting in four goals in each of the games.
In these stages of the playoffs though, winning, is all that matters.
Niederberger, a German overager, has one shot at winning an OHL title: Stolarz and Patterson have another shot next season but the London duo would not want to be on the losing side Monday evening.
Neither will Alex Fotinos.
Fotinos was called upon in relief of Niederberger and he's done alright. The Toronto native hasn't had too much to do in net though, as the Barrie Colts are usually at their offensive and defensive best in the final 20 minutes of a game.
Expect Jake Patterson and Mathias Niederberger to get the nod for game 7 though. Niederberger brought the Colts this far in the playoffs, and they'll need him to deliver one last time. Patterson meanwhile, hasn't shown too many signs of rust after a 54 day layoff between games, prior to game 5 last Friday evening.
While the likes of Bo Horvat, Mark Scheifele, Andreas Athanasiou and Max Domi can be depended upon for big performances, in this winner takes all game 7, the battle will be won, or lost, in net.
-------
2013 OHL Playoffs Goalie Stats
LONDON:
Anthony Stolarz: 1,115 mins, 2.53 GAA, 0.923 save percent and 1 SO in 18 games.
Jake Patterson: 157 mins, 3.82 GAA, 0.865 save percent and 0 SO in 3 games.
BARRIE:
Mathias Niederberger: 1,253 mins, 2.59 GAA, 0.927 save percent and 2 SO in 21 games.
Alex Fotinos: 29 mins, 2.06 GAA, 0.909 save percent and 0 SO in 2 games.
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