Your Favorite Backup Goalies
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CaptBrannigan
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timekeep
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- Apr 28, 2010
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Interesting to see Glenn Resch listed here so many times.
It's funny how history gets skewed sometimes, but Resch was never a backup, save for the 1980 playoffs.
From 1974-1980, Resch started more games than Billy Smith every year. And started more playoff games. Smith was the backup, if anything. Resch was the guy that had been picked twice as a post-season All-Star, while Smith never had until that point.
And then Smith got hot and went on a run in the 1980 playoffs, and the rest is history.
Resch and Smith split games again the next year until Resch was dealt to Colorado, and he continued to be a starter for the next 5 seasons after that.
But still, the perception endures that Resch was Smith's backup, when the reverse was true more often than not.
It's funny how history gets skewed sometimes, but Resch was never a backup, save for the 1980 playoffs.
From 1974-1980, Resch started more games than Billy Smith every year. And started more playoff games. Smith was the backup, if anything. Resch was the guy that had been picked twice as a post-season All-Star, while Smith never had until that point.
And then Smith got hot and went on a run in the 1980 playoffs, and the rest is history.
Resch and Smith split games again the next year until Resch was dealt to Colorado, and he continued to be a starter for the next 5 seasons after that.
But still, the perception endures that Resch was Smith's backup, when the reverse was true more often than not.
As a goalie myself, I've always found myself rooting for backup goaltenders...where do I start lol.
Bob Essensa, Corey Schwab, Fred Brathwaite, Damien Rhodes(leafs backup), Frank Pieterangelo, Mike Dunham, Michael Garnett, Stephane Beauregard, Darcy Wakaluk, Dany Sabourin.
Bob Essensa, Corey Schwab, Fred Brathwaite, Damien Rhodes(leafs backup), Frank Pieterangelo, Mike Dunham, Michael Garnett, Stephane Beauregard, Darcy Wakaluk, Dany Sabourin.
Mikhail Shtalenkov. I remember being so happy when the Panthers traded Sean Burke to Phoenix for him and Burke turns into an all-star for Phoenix and Shtalenkov leaves the league after playing 15 games for Florida. It's funny the things you have vivid memories of, I was 11 years old and I remember hearing about this trade at the end of the 6:00 Sportscenter like it was yesterday.
Phousse
Registered User
This thread is fantastic.
I completely forgot about a bunch of my old favourites like Essensa, Terreri, Blue, and Billington. I was going to mention Shtalenkov, but I see a couple people already did.
I completely forgot about a bunch of my old favourites like Essensa, Terreri, Blue, and Billington. I was going to mention Shtalenkov, but I see a couple people already did.
The first names that comes to my mind are John Tanner, Wade Flaherty and Jason Muzzatti.
From Finland Juha Virenius.
And ofcourse the legendary Seppo Mäkinen. From 70 to 76 124 regular season games + few playoffs games dressed. Always backup.
From Finland Juha Virenius.
And ofcourse the legendary Seppo Mäkinen. From 70 to 76 124 regular season games + few playoffs games dressed. Always backup.
VanIslander
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iamjs
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Kiprusoff was a backup for maybe a season or two.
His game played total once he left San Jose: 38, 74, 74, 76, 76, 73, 71, 70, 24
VanIslander
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Of course, after 2+ seasons as a backup in San Jose, he then became the starter in Calgary.
shadow1
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- Nov 29, 2008
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Ken Wregget.
His regular season stats were definitely mediocre - usually around a low .900's SV% in the mid-1990's with Pittsburgh - but he was always forced into some tough moments due to playing behind a brittle Tom Barrasso.
Barrasso didn't play at all in the abbreviated 1994-1995 NHL season, and I *think* Wregget led the NHL in wins. But his best moment was obviously the 1996 playoffs, coming in for (yet again) an injured Barrasso mid-game against Washington; that game of course went to 4OT's, with Wregget stopping a penalty shot in 2OT.
In fact, I question replacing Wregget during the Florida series that year. Yeah, he got lit up in game one, and yeah, Barrasso was still considered to be a star goalie at that time, but Wregget was rocking a 2.30 GAA/.930 SV% in the playoffs to go with a 7-2 record. Not that I care, I'm an Avalanche fan.
greyraven8
Registered User
When I think Brathwaite I think of one of the best saves of all time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp0F7Rw3bxQ
Ken Wregget.
His regular season stats were definitely mediocre - usually around a low .900's SV% in the mid-1990's with Pittsburgh - but he was always forced into some tough moments due to playing behind a brittle Tom Barrasso.
Barrasso didn't play at all in the abbreviated 1994-1995 NHL season, and I *think* Wregget led the NHL in wins. But his best moment was obviously the 1996 playoffs, coming in for (yet again) an injured Barrasso mid-game against Washington; that game of course went to 4OT's, with Wregget stopping a penalty shot in 2OT.
In fact, I question replacing Wregget during the Florida series that year. Yeah, he got lit up in game one, and yeah, Barrasso was still considered to be a star goalie at that time, but Wregget was rocking a 2.30 GAA/.930 SV% in the playoffs to go with a 7-2 record. Not that I care, I'm an Avalanche fan.
In Game 7 Barrasso gave up that awful winning goal from the blue line to Tom Fitzgerald. The Pens didn't recover and lost 3-1. An Avs/Pens SCF would have been fantastic. Avs easily swept the Panthers.
Leafsdude7
Stand-Up Philosopher
In the late 90s, Marcel Cousineau was one of my favourite goalies, period. No idea why. Wasn't good, didn't play much and was never viewed as anything more than a low-level AHL starter. Perhaps I just liked the name. 
I liked the retro coloured gears that Muzzatti weared late in his career. Also goes to the what are you doing in that uniform class.
I'm going with the backup's backup: Dave "Sudsy" Settlemyre. You need a backup who's a character and can tell the stories. Only the 8.33 GAA kept him from NHL stardom.
http://www.nhlbackups.com/2012/11/dave-settlemyre.html
http://www.nhlbackups.com/2012/11/dave-settlemyre.html
RANDOMH3RO
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- Jan 19, 2007
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Good to see Cory Schwabb come up a couple times. Have to mention Chris terreri, and Scott Clemmensen too.
