ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Jonathan Bernier's temporary teammates celebrated with him like he was one of their own after a 22-save shutout. He received a hearty ovation minutes later in the Toronto Marlies' locker-room.
Bernier's career is still with the NHL's Maple Leafs, but the struggling goaltender got his American Hockey League conditioning stint off to a spectacular start Friday night by shutting out the Rochester Americans. A three-hour bus ride from Toronto, Bernier showed glimpses of being the goalie the franchise envisioned when acquiring him two years ago.
That game was nowhere to be found in his first nine starts for the Leafs this season as Bernier went 0-8-1 with a 3.28 goals-against average and .888 save percentage, numbers that ranked among the worst in the league. Friday night at Blue Cross Arena, Bernier was dominant against minor-league competition.
"I'm here just to get my game and play some games," Bernier said. "If you don't play games and just practise, sometimes you lose that edge to go in the game. Tonight it was one of those nights I felt really good."
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