In the offseason, Sharks GM Doug Wilson made a few transactions to replace long-time netminder Evgeni Nabokov. These moves included signing 30-year-old Fin Antero Niittymaki, and eventually Stanley-Cup-winning goaltender Antti Niemi. Many Sharks fans got really excited with the addition of Niemi. However, Niemi hasn't lived up to Sharks fans' hopes and expectations. Meanwhile, Niittymaki has been anything and everything the Sharks have asked for.
At this point in the season, Niittymaki is 7-1-3 with a Sv.% of .919, and a GAA of 2.08, which was after his worst game of the season, a 4-3 OT loss to the Avalanche. Otherwise, he's been rock solid, and has allowed three goals in a game only three times so far.
Niemi hasn't been so solid. He sports a 2-4-1 record, with a sub-par .878 Sv.% and 3.91 GAA, nearly four goals a game. In one game, he didn't even last nine minutes, when he allowed three goals in five shots in a 4-0 loss to the Flames. Sharks fans have been really dissapointed with his play.
Everyone wonders why Niittymaki is playing so great, and Niemi has been dismal. It has to d ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Michael DeSantis
Sharks Goaltending- Why Antero Niittymaki’s Been So Hot, and Antti Niemi Has Not
November 20th, 2010 by Michael DeSantis Leave a reply »
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