WJC: Canada's #1 goaltender

[HFNHL Canadiens]

I don't think Poggemon or Keetley or Dubnyk are good enough to be able to win games.

Poggemon faces 21.5 shots a game with very impressive numbers, his very impressive numbers relate heavily into the fact that he doesn't face very many shots. Canada will likely face alot of shots in this tourney and will need a goaltender that is used to facing a ton of shots

Keetley faces 24.5 shots a game with very impressive numbers. Still, not vey many, see Poggemon for explanation

Dubnyk faces 27.5 shots a game with very mediocore numbers. I personally think that Dubny does not have the talent to lead Canada to a gold medal.

Price faces 30.55 shots a game with OK numbers but he has been playing superb as of late. He faces a little less than what some of the stronger teams in the WJC with get against Canada. He wouldn't be a bad selecton for Canadas starter

Ellis faces 31.65 shots per game and has been argubley the best goaltender in the CHL last year and this year. He is used to facing a ton of rubber and to me would be the perfect fit(but not likely to Sutter).

 

[Sebastien Centomo]

Price is brutal, Im going to go out on a limb and Say Justin Pogge of the Calgary Hitmen.

Price isn't brutal, he's one of the best in the country. He had a slow start on a bad team, but is starting to pick it up and play alot better.

I fully expect him to be there, in fact I hope he's there.

 

[Puckz]

Would love to see Pogge on the team. Great guy, classy character. Unfortunately I'm not sure he'll make it due to the reputation of the other tendies vying for the spot. Dubnyk is about as overrated as they come, big goalie, first round pick... never impressed me at all. Price, poor season, picked high, good goalie but I don't think he's outplayed Pogge. Ellis is having a good season and should get consideration. Unfortunately for Keetley, his numbers are good, but he suffers quite a bit of what Pogge's going through, a lack of reputation.

If I'm making the picks, I go with Ellis and Pogge, Pogs has had some international experience but was stuck behind Dubnyk so he didn't really get to play awhole lot. And if Canada is going to rely on Dubnyk I think we could be in trouble.

 

[Puckz]

Canada will likely face alot of shots in this tourney and will need a goaltender that is used to facing a ton of shots

I am curious, does anyone have numbers on how many shots Canada averages against? From what I remember Glass didn't see alot of action at all last year, granted Canada had a dominant team, but in years prior, were they actually facing 30+ shots a game? I would have guess normally in the low-to-mid 20s... Anyone?

 

[Transported Upstater]

nah Poggemon will watch Pokemon instead

LOL

 

[LaLaLaprise]

Not to be picky but just for a sense of correctness Keetley has lost 4 games in regulation this year and 4 games in a shootout. Not 4 losses all in shootouts. Hence he is:
16-4-4 with a GAA of 1.83 and a SV% of .924 very impressive

Since im throwing some stats around Pogge is:
18-5-0 with a GAA of 1.59 and a SV% if .925 also very impressive

Easily the best two from the WHL statistically but as we know theres more to who gets the number 1 spot than stats.

1.59 GAA and a save % of .925...facing 19 shots a game..




Stats dont mean much of anything.

 

[Malakhov]

vanwychen, your avatar should be illegal

Who is it and where can I get it full size?

 

[HfxMoose]

Anyone think Alexandre Vincent should get consideration? I saw him play a few weeks ago here against Halifax and he looked great. Very good mobility and quickness plus it doesn't hurt that he's 6'6. I think he would do a great job for Canada.

 

[HFNHL Canadiens]

I am curious, does anyone have numbers on how many shots Canada averages against? From what I remember Glass didn't see alot of action at all last year, granted Canada had a dominant team, but in years prior, were they actually facing 30+ shots a game? I would have guess normally in the low-to-mid 20s... Anyone?

This year it will be different. Canada has one returning player this year (and he didn't he even play that much in the tourney last year) , Cam Barker. Against the weaker teams, they might not face to to many shots but against teams like the U.S and Russia they will face a ton of quality shots. Canada is not the favourite this year. Usually they are.

 

[VanW27]

vanwychen, your avatar should be illegal

Who is it and where can I get it full size?

It's Charisma Carpenter (formerly of Buffy Vampire Slayer) i believe its from Playboy.

 

[Rahan]

Anyone think Alexandre Vincent should get consideration? I saw him play a few weeks ago here against Halifax and he looked great. Very good mobility and quickness plus it doesn't hurt that he's 6'6. I think he would do a great job for Canada.

Vincent is as inconsistent as they come. I wouldn't want him in front of team Canada's nets. I think he often lacks concentration and takes games off.

 

[Towelie*]

There is now way Pogge should make this team.

There is absoulutely no way that Pogge should make this team. Even if Pogge somehow beat out one of Price or Dubnyk, I don't think there is much rational at him beating out Julien Ellis Plante, who I believe is easily the superior goalie.

Pogge has played for two WHL teams thus far, first the Prince George Cougars, and secondly, the Calgary Hitmen - here is his stats for both.

Prince George Cougars:
2003-2004 Cougars: GP-44- Save Percentage: .900%-GAA-2.83
2004-2005 Cougars: GP-24- Save Percentage: .891%-GAA-2.80
Calgary Hitmen:
2004-2005 Hitmen: GP-29- Save Percentage: 917%-GAA-2.29
2005-2006 Hitmen: GP-19- Save Percentage: 926%- GAA-1.55

Clearly Pogge is playing better on the Hitmen. Even when you split the 2004-2005 season in half, you can see that Pogges numbers get far better. It would be silly to suggest that this is "development", unless Pogge "developed" over night. This is most likely because the Hitmen are a better team, with a great defence. I think that if you analyze the obove stats it becomes evident that Pogges stats are inflated by the Hitmens dominace. Pogge stats have never being great, except this year. The Hitmen are 15-4 giving up an average of 19.7 shots, barely anything!

Pogges Save percentage is went up by 0.027%, a large margin - from 891%-917% - this is direct evidence of Pogges stats being inflated. It would be comical to suggest that Pogges "development" was the reason. I don't know how anyone could make an argument that Pogge deserves to be there more then Julien Ellis.

Pogge is the product of a great team - he is not a great goalie. His stats clearly show that on a average, or sub par team, he puts up mediocore numbers.

 

[Towelie*]

Vincent is as inconsistent as they come. I wouldn't want him in front of team Canada's nets. I think he often lacks concentration and takes games off.

Ya, I think Vincent has a decent shot next year, however I agree he needs to play more this year and prove himself. I personally really liked him when I saw him play here in Vancouver, real big guy with quick reflexes.

 

[Puckz]

To say Pogge didn't develop I think is unrealistic. This guy busted his *** over the summer, conditioning far better come this year. Trained with Belfour throughout the summer, and did well in Leafs camp. While playing for Calgary I'm sure helped him out, but to say he didn't develop at all? Is untrue.

 

[Towelie*]

To say Pogge didn't develop I think is unrealistic. This guy busted his *** over the summer, conditioning far better come this year. Trained with Belfour throughout the summer, and did well in Leafs camp. While playing for Calgary I'm sure helped him out, but to say he didn't develop at all? Is untrue.

You obviously didn't understand my post. Pogge I am certain has developed, everyone does. However the stats you a major enhancement in both GAA and SV%, coming within the same year when he was traded. You would have to argue that Pogge literally "developed" over night when he was traded for those numbers to make sense.

 

[Duff88]

Vincent is as inconsistent as they come. I wouldn't want him in front of team Canada's nets. I think he often lacks concentration and takes games off.

Definitely; unless he stops allowing a few weak goals every games or taking games off, I would take a lot of other goalies in front of him.

 

[KStewart113]

I think Ellis might get the #1 job

 

[Cerebral]

Anyone criticizing Dubnyk's play needs to look at the team in front of him, the number of quality shots he faces a game and the ridiculous number of powerplays he's forced to defend against. Dubnyk has single-handedly won a number of games for Kamloops this season and I definitely think he's in contention for the starting spot on Canada's WJC team.

He's certainly not a lock for the starting role but I think he's got a very solid chance.

 

[Mtl6]

After a bad october month, Price is dominant altouth he's not in a good team. Pogge has some great stats but just take a look at his team performance since the beginnning of the season! Dubnyk hasn't impressed me at all and Ellis, well i'm not sure he could be no 1. My Guess:

1-Price
2-Pogge
3-Dubnyk

 

[Crows*]

This is like a dream come true for CAnuck fans...

One of our draft picks.. let alone a goalie is being talked about for the number 1 job in the world junuior championchips. Ohhh I can't wait!! GO ELLIS! GO!

 

[montreal]

I think it's clear that both goalie spots are wide open. Several goalies have to be getting consideration. We'll see in two weeks or so when camp opens, how they do. Plus the WHL goalies will get their chance to show what they can do against Russia this week.

I don't see any of the other goalies but I have been watching Price play for Tri City and he finally has turned things around. In the month of Novemeber he's been very good with a gaa just over 2 (it was under 2 before last nights loss in ot) and his save % was over .940 for the month. His numbers are still bad but when you consider that Tri City is a brutal hockey team, the numbers aren't that bad and getting better. I saw them play Everett twice this year and both games were just painful to watch, Tri City couldn't do much of anything in either game.

Should be interesting to see who ends up getting the spots and how they do. Tough choices for Sutter.

 

[flambers]

Who will be the #1 goaltender this year?

Carey Price?
Devan Dubnyk?

Neither, its going to be Justin Pogge.

 

[Towelie*]

Neither, its going to be Justin Pogge.

What a solid argument.

 

[Habsaku]

Here's my homer commentary coming up:

Patrick Roy always said if you want to be an NHL goalie, you gotta play for the worst team in the countrie. Carey Price is doing just that. He had a very rough time at the start of the season but right now, he's picking it up big time and looks to be back in great shape. His numbers for november are very impressive and even more so considering the team he plays for. Add that to the fact he's been stellar since coming into the WHL despite a poor team and a strong showing at the NHL camp, I think he should get the nod, or at least, I'm hoping he will.
He's also very big, agile and his puck control is top notch.

 

[Puckz]

You obviously didn't understand my post. Pogge I am certain has developed, everyone does. However the stats you a major enhancement in both GAA and SV%, coming within the same year when he was traded. You would have to argue that Pogge literally "developed" over night when he was traded for those numbers to make sense.

I now understand what you are saying here. I think I misinterpreted the statement...

It would be silly to suggest that this is "development", unless Pogge "developed" over night.

However I will say this as well... A team can play better, with more confidence with a better goalie in net, so why can a goalie not play better with a better team around him? I understand the point about your stats, the mid-season trade, but there are also streaks and slumps.

Yes, Pogge only faces 20 shots a night, some might argue it's harder to stay focused on nights like this as opposed to 40+ shot nights. I can't say how much Pogge developed, or how much he didn't... but it is feasible to believe that Pogge is playing better with the Hitmen than he was with the Cougars. What I will say is that I truly believe he is a much better goalie this year, than last year... More confidence, more experience, more training, and that I do believe he will compete for the job with team Canada.

As for Ellis, I'm not arguing that, he definitely deserves a shot, probably the number one position, and if it was me it'd be between Ellis and Pogge.