A Tale of Two Goalies

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Dickens’ words seem very appropriate when it comes to the Phoenix Coyotes right now. The worst of times of course referring to the financial trouble, looming sale and very dismal attendance..but I am not going to harp on that today!

The best of times is the amazing play of BOTH our goaltenders. Honestly, the Coyotes haven’t had 2 really strong goalies in the last few years and this is a nice position to be in. Ilya Bryzgalov and Jason LaBarbera are both 6’3, 29 years of age and of non-american status but there are some differences in their play. Bryzgalov tends to be a little more methodical and deliberate in his moves, while LaBarbera plays with an intensity that is almost exhausting to watch.

Our main guy Ilya Bryzgalov has been outstanding this year. His play has him currently leading the league in shutouts and he won the NHL’s first star a few weeks back. The phrase “standing on his head” really doesn’t express strongly enough the effort he has put into the 11 games he’s started in. With moves like a contortionist he’s blocked 253 of the 272 shots that have come his way. The team has really gotten behind him, showing major support and you can really see that “pack mentality” Tippett and the boys have been talking about. Gone are the days of the sad little “bumps” on the helmet after a good game now it’s hugs and maybe some kisses too…wasn’t close enough to tell. Either way you can tell the team is pulling together. And recently in a chance meeting on the main concourse of the arena, he didn’t seem to mind too much that I nearly mowed his wife over to say hello…so gracious!

And then there is Jason LaBarbera, whose name keeps reminding of the cartoon guys (you know..Hanna Barbera) Honestly he does have that rugged Fred Flintstone thing about him and I mean this in a good way! Standing at 6’3 like Bryzgalov, but carrying a few more pounds, he’s an imposing figure in net and doesn’t leave a lot of room for pucks. The 110% he plays with has made his starts very impressive, most notably in the win over Columbus this week. With a total of 84 shots taken and 80 saves, he just LOOKS like he belongs in net. This confidence is what surely won him the spot over his off season competition Al Montoya.

So, we’ve got 2 impressive goaltenders, a team that is playing like one unit and a solid new head coach..what else could we need? Oh yeah, some fan support! Ok so I did harp on it..