FLYERS PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

Goalie Giguere Makes The Tough Saves Look Easy

Philadelphia,PA- J.S. Giguere had worked extra hard this past offseason in an attempt to improve on last season. Although not a bad year, he thought, as did Flyer management, that he could have performed better.

Last season in the HBMHL, he played 56 games & posted a 2.62 GAA (NHL-2,26) while stopping .916 (NHL-.918) percent of the shots he faced. On Tough Saves (GRs), he stopped 73.4% (270/368). There were 22 goalies who face over 250 GRs, he placed tied for 5th, but the leader, Roberto Luongo, was only 5 percentage points higher at 78.9% (341/432). This season, the Tough Saves have been the difference in his game. There are 19 goalies who have faced over 100, Giguere is 8th facing 139, but has stopped 117 for a 84.2% rate. Ottawa's Christobal Huet is 2nd in that group at 81.0% (94/116). The next closest is Boston's Tim Thomas' 76.5% (88/115).

This week in practice, Giguere was seen working with Goalie Coach Bernie Parent & Antero Niittymaki, with Nitty getting most of the time in the crease. It looked like J.S. & Bernie were schooling Nitty, perhaps to help him improve on his Tough Save stats, a rancid 56.0% (28/50).

To compare the importance, look at these numbers: 22 out of the 24 goals Nitty has given up were GRs. Meaning, only 2 goals have come off of opponent's cards. While Giguere has given up 22 out of 49 goals on the GR, 27 goals off of opponent's cards. Giguere has played 23 games to Nitty's 7, but Nitty is going to have to see more time in the coming blocks, the Flyers need him to improve on his own accountability.

(Photo courtesy of jj-buffalo)