It's Niemi
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It's Niemi

Posted by TimS on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 10:59

So much for the Cristobal Huet-Nikolai Khabibulin showdown.
Rookie Antti Niemi will start in goal for the Hawks Wednesday night against the Edmonton Oilers.
More to follow from the morning skate...

good

Huet is a disgrace. At least Niemi is out there trying to stop pucks.

Posted by the poofer on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 11:20
Right....

And the team is trying to give the other team point blank chances to score...

Posted by CanadianHawksFan on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 11:25
Sure

Too bad at that cap hit, Huet is being paid to stop point blank chances, and getting pulled from games on account of his failure

Posted by the poofer on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 13:09
Good for Niemi

I think Niemi deserves it.
Lets see how he does in back to back games. Plus for Huet he will probably start tomorrow, away from the UC. I mean if he came out tonight and repeated what he did the other night and then gets the BOO shower again, his mental game will really be shot then I think.

Posted by Puckmeisters on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 11:18
I agree

He does deserve it. He had a shakey start coming in against the Flames, but he played decent overall. He certainly hasn't shown that he doesn't deserve some more ice time. I hope he plays well tonight.

Posted by CanadianHawksFan on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 11:27
Wow

Can't wait to hear Q's comments on why.

Posted by Reg Dunlop on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 11:04
Not too hard to figure out why

Huet has not gotten off to a good start, to state the obvious.

Q didn't put him back in to start the 2nd period vs. Calgary - that spoke volumes - (i.e., Q pulled Huet more because Huet wasn't getting it done than to wake up the team in front of him).

then look at the returns so far.

Niemi 2-0-0, 113 mins played, 1.06 GAA (including the really soft goal allowed vs. Cal), .950 save percentage & a shutout

Huet 1-1-1, 195 mins played, 3.69 GAA, .830 save percentage (.546 save percentage in shootouts - 13th out of 19)

it is still early, but the Hawks need to get off to a good start given all the home games in October to avoid having to make up points later.

Q obviously wants to avoid the inevitable comparisons between Khabi & Huet & prompting an even greater goalie controversy that would have resulted if Huet faced Khabi & lost (very possible the way Huet & Khabi are playing).

The rest of the team can also move on from the endless Khabi vs. Huet comparisons & focus on supporting their potential goalie of the future against their goalie of the past...

It is also a reward for Niemi basically shutting the door after the 1st vs. Calgary & picking up that win, & also presenting him with the challenge of trying to at least match if not beat khabi.

if Niemi does well, he will get more starts, if he doesn't, I suspect Stanley will be making some phone calls to Garth Snow, among other GMs....

Posted by chicohawk on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 12:09