Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Garret Sparks will make his NHL debut Monday against the Edmonton Oilers (7:30 p.m. ET; TVA Sports, SN), according to TSN.
Sparks, 22, was recalled Saturday from Toronto of the American Hockey League and backed up Jonathan Bernier. Goaltender James Reimer sat out because of a lower-body injury.
"I'm excited to be here and grateful for the opportunity," Sparks said Sunday, according to TSN. "I'm really excited and will go do what I can with the opportunity."
Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said that Sparks has earned a chance to play.
"We got to find a way to win a game," Babcock said. "He's played well in the minors. Gets his opportunity."
Sparks, a seventh-round pick (No. 190) in the 2011 NHL Draft, is 8-2-1 in 11 AHL games. He's second in the league with a .938 save percentage and fourth with a 1.90 GAA.
Bernier started in goal Saturday against the Washington Capitals but allowed four goals on 23 shots in a 4-2 Maple Leafs loss. Bernier has allowed four goals in each of his past three games, and in nine games this season is 0-8-1 with a 3.28 goals-against average and .888 save percentage.
Reimer practiced Sunday, splitting time with Bernier at one end of the ice while Sparks was in the other goal.
"Obviously we're being, I don't want to say too cautious, but we're making sure," Babcock said.
Reimer said he hopes to play Wednesday at the Winnipeg Jets.
"I really hope so," he said. "Felt a lot better today than it did the other day. Hopefully mid-week, yeah. … Getting better. Getting better every day. Pretty frustrating, but I've felt a lot of progress from last week. Getting close."
Babcock also said forward Joffrey Lupul likely won't play Monday because of what he called a nagging issue. In 23 games Lupul has eight goals and three assists.
Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99
Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonth.html
Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonthman.html
No comments:
Post a Comment