Monday, March 15, 2010

Pelletier Named Goalie of the Week

For his rather remarkable efforts in leading the Bucks to a 3-0 weekend when they needed it most, rookie Pier-Olivier Pelletier has been named the Central Hockey League's Goaltender of the Week for games played March 9-14.

Pelletier, who missed practice time earlier in the week while battling a cold and flu symptoms, started three straight games in less than 70 hours and won them all.

He made 37 saves on 39 shots in regulation and overtime and stopped all three Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees he faced in the shootout for a 3-2 win on Friday, stopped 26 of 29 shots faced in a 5-3 win over the Arizona Sundogs on Saturday and stopped 34 of 36 shots plus in regulation and OT and all four he faced in the shootout for a 3-2 win over the Texas Brahmas yesterday.

In total, that is 97 saves on 104 regulation and overtime shots for a save percentage of 0.933 and seven saves on seven shootout attempts for a perfect 1.000 save percentage in those situations.

Considering how few games Pelletier was playing just a month ago, those numbers are pretty staggering, as is the fact that he is 9-0-1 in his last 10 starts. I don't think anyone could argue this honor isn't well-deserved.

Pelletier and his teammates got a much-needed day off today, but they'll be back on the ice tomorrow to prepare for the first of their final three games in the regular season, a Wednesday matchup with the Odessa Jackalopes.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Joy would you know if its good news or bad on Wed.?

Anonymous said...

Good morning Joy. Styffe and Fletcher were placed on season ending IR. That leaves O'leary and Trimm on IR, and 20 players on the roster. Any other info as to who will remain with the team for the playoffs if Cully returns?

Joy Lindsay said...

I would say you shouldn't be concerned about Wednesday's news. You can already find out some of it by reading Business Editor Joe Rutland's story on the front page of today's Times.

Trimm is expected to be back in the lineup by Saturday, as is Robin Richards, who has been on leave, and Coach Ruskowski has not given any indication of who would be first to go if the team can bring back Brent Cullaton for the postseason. The team he was coaching suffered a loss to end its season over the weekend, so odds are he can be here by the time the Bucks start the playoffs. O'Leary has been rehabbing his injury for the past couple weeks, but I am not sure when he'll be available to come off the IR, so that could also play a factor in Ruskowski's decision.

Anonymous said...

How many veterans do the Bucks have on the roster right now and will this affect Cully being able to play with the team?

Joy Lindsay said...

With the league's new vet rule making 301 professional games played prior to this season the mark of a veteran, the Bucks get off easy as far as their current roster. Of the guys here now, only Jeff Bes, Paul Elliott and Sylvain Deschatelets are veterans, so there is a vet spot open for Cullaton should he choose to take it.

Anonymous said...

Any news about today?

Anonymous said...

Thank you Joy!

Joy Lindsay said...

Practice was short, only about 40 minutes, but that's understandable with the team playing its fifth game in seven days tomorrow.

Trimm returned to the ice for the first time, while Eric Giosa missed practice but is expected to play tomorrow.

I spoke to Ruskowski and Pelletier about the recent games and what's left to accomplish this season, so I'll post quotes as soon as I can.

Anonymous said...

News for tomorrow are about the new name of LEC.