• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • NHL Rumors
  • THW Podcast
  • NHL Prospects
  • Columns
  • NWHL
  • More…
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • Long Read
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
    • Fantasy Hockey
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Resources
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • NHL Rumors
  • THW Podcast
  • NHL Prospects
  • Columns
  • NWHL
  • More…
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • Long Read
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
    • Fantasy Hockey
Home
International Hockey
Olympics

Jonathan Bernier: Among Canada’s Best

By Andrew Forbes February 11th, 2014

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp
Team Canada, Canada, Norway, Olympics, IOC, Hockey, NHL, Jonathan Bernier

Canada’s men will start their Olympics off on February 13 against Norway. (Photo courtesy Paul Walsh, Flickr)

With the men’s Olympic hockey tournament fast approaching in Sochi, Russia, questions regarding why certain players made the team have turned into inquiries of how each team will stack up. Who will play with who? Which players will sit as the healthy scratches? Will there be any further injury replacements?

But fans an analysts of Team Canada have one question much bigger than these. Who will be the starting goalie when it comes to crunch time – Roberto Luongo, Carey Price, or Phoenix’s Mike Smith?

Lately, the argument could be made the none of the three should backstop Canada in the Olympics. Since the team was named on January 7, each one has struggled in certain areas of their game. There is, however, one NHL goaltender that deserved some recognition and consideration amongst the Team Canada discussion – Toronto’s Jonathan Bernier.

You might ask why Bernier would ever be considered for the Olympic team – it’s his first year as a starter and still head coach Randy Carlyle won’t commit to the title of ‘number one.’ But here’s a look at how the 25-year-old stacks up against Canada’s goalies.

Team Canada: Bernier (22-16-5) vs. Luongo (19-16-6)

Now, Bernier has played in more games than Luongo this season. So it can be argued that their overall record is fairly similar – and sure Bernier has 22 wins while Luongo sits on 19. But the most telling stat in terms of their season so far, is their saves.

There’s no question that Bernier has faced far more shots on a team that struggles with their defensive responsibilities. While the Toronto backstop has seen 1,444 shots in 44 games this season, Luongo has only faced 1,157 in his 42 appearances.

With those numbers in mind, Bernier also has a step up on the three-time Olympian in terms of save percentage. In fact, Bernier heads the list of four in that season stat with a .927 save percentage while Luongo sits 10 points back at .917 – a stat that shows the goaltenders’ reliability.

Since the team was named, Bernier and the Maple Leafs have excelled. The Canucks, however, have struggled to find consistency. Luongo is 3-6-0 in 9 games during that time with a 2.90 goals-against average and a .901 save-percentage. Bernier, has solidified his place as the Leafs number one by helping the team to a 9-4-1 record since January 7 with a 2.60 goals-against average and a .926 save-percentage.

It’s clear that Luongo was chosen for his veteran presence and what he’s done over his career rather than what he’s done lately. But the 34-year-old will need to step up his play if he wants to prove to Steve Yzerman’s team that they were right in choosing him as one of their three goalies.

#Canucks Roberto Luongo went 5-0 with a 1.75 GAA & .927 SV% in 5 starts for #TeamCanada in the 2010 Winter Olympics.

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) January 7, 2014

Team Canada: Bernier (22-16-5) vs. Price (26-17-5)

Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens, Canada, Team Canada, Olympics, Sochi, 2014 Olympics

Carey Price could be Team Canada’s starter in the Olympic tournament. (Anne-Marie Sorvin-US PRESSWIRE)

Now, Montreal’s Carey Price is the one selection that can’t really be argued against – that is if you’re talking about his full season statistics. Price has led the inconsistent Canadiens to 26 wins when he’s between the pipes. He’s recorded four shutouts and a strong 2.33 goals-against average while exceeding Bernier’s 1,339 saves on the season.

While Bernier’s save percentage sits two-one hundredths of a point higher than Price’s, it’s his effort as of late that really makes him stand out. In 13 games since being named to Team Canada, the 26-year old Price is 6-6-1 with a .919 save percentage and a 2.64 goals-against average.

https://twitter.com/vaswani_/status/420403423150759936

The Leafs netminder has faced an average of 30 shots per game since the team was named – winning nine of his thirteen games played. In fact, Bernier has exceeded the 35-shot plateau seven times since January 7 and holds a 5-2 record in those contests. While his season stats are slightly less impressive than those of Carey Price, Bernier’s consistent play for the Leafs surely deserved some recognition in the Olympic discussion.

Team Canada: Bernier (22-16-5) vs. Smith (20-17-9)

Statistically speaking, Mike Smith should – and probably will be – Team Canada’s third string goaltender when their tournament starts on February 13. He’s in the midst of a second consecutive mediocre season with a 20-17-9 record with a 2.77 goals-against average and a save percentage just over .910.

There’s no question that the Coyotes’ backstop had his best season in 2011-12 recording 38 wins and narrowly missing out on the Vezina trophy for the league’s best goaltender. But this season, his stats are average. His Coyotes are sitting fourth in the Pacific Division and ninth in the Western Conference.

Like the other two Olympians, Smith has also struggled since his name was called in association with Team Canada. In 14 games, he’s 5-7-1 with a 2.47 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage – a struggle that’s seems to be plaguing all of Team Canada’s goalies.

Jonathan Bernier, Toronto Maple Leafs, Hockey, NHL, Tom Turk, THW, Team Canada, Olympics

Some would argue that Jonathan Bernier’s numbers deserved recognition by Team Canada. (Tom Turk/The Hockey Writers)

Now in no way am I saying that Luongo, Price, and Smith are bad goalies. Nor am I saying that they don’t deserve to don the red and white. I wasn’t in the room when Steve Yzerman and his management team were deliberating.

Maybe it’s their experience in big games – the ability to deal with high levels of intensity and pressure – that highlighted the names chosen. Maybe it’s their international experience that put them ahead of others. Or simply put, maybe their resumes speak for themselves.

Regardless, Jonathan Bernier has demonstrated this season that his name should be among those considered to play for Canada at the international level. He’s taken an inconsistent team, a team searching for an identity – and put them in a position to make it back into the NHL’s playoffs. But it’s his numbers alone, this season, that force the question: Why wasn’t he considered?

 

For questions and comments, you can leave them below or follow Andrew on Twitter @AndrewGForbes or on Google+.

  • Tags
  • Carey Price
  • Jonathan Bernier
  • Roberto Luongo
  • Team Canada
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Facebook Comments

Our Hockey Podcast
hockey podcast
Bruce’s Picks
2019 NHL Trade Deadline: Deal Tracker

2019 NHL Trade Deadline: Deal Tracker

2117
Recent Posts
Feb 21st 1:02 PM
Los Angeles Kings

Hagelin Traded to Capitals

Feb 21st 12:20 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Don’t Need McQuaid

Feb 21st 12:05 PM
St Louis Blues

Blues Set Record With 11 Straight Wins

Feb 21st 10:40 AM
Archives

Top 10 Latvians in NHL History

Feb 21st 10:05 AM
Vancouver Canucks

Canucks’ Playoff Hopes Hampered by Injuries

Feb 21st 9:20 AM
Anaheim Ducks

One for the Ages: Steve Thomas’ 2002-03 NHL Season

Feb 21st 9:05 AM
Other Leagues

Spitfires Remember Fallen Captain on 11-Year Anniversary

Feb 21st 8:50 AM
Pittsburgh Penguins

3 Potential Penguins Trade Targets

Feb 21st 7:12 AM
Boston Bruins

Bruins Top Golden Knights – Backes Gets SO Winner

Feb 21st 7:07 AM
Calgary Flames

Flames Beat Islanders – Gaudreau Snaps Scoring Skid

Stay in Touch
Contact Us

Via our Newsletters
RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Our Partners
HFBoards

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

Join over 18 000 Subscribers of our free bi-weekly Newsletter.

© The Hockey Writers 2018. All rights reserved.
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • Search THW
  • NHL Rumors
  • The Goalie Page
  • Atlantic Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
  • Metropolitan Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Dallas Stars
    • Minnesota Wild
    • Nashville Predators
    • St Louis Blues
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • Pacific Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Vegas Golden Knights
    • Vancouver Canucks
  • Selections From Our Archives
  • Podcast
  • Prospects
  • NHL Salary Cap Information
  • Join Our Team