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Prepare to be excited ~ Niittymaki to Make His Debut Thursday
By J Platt on October 24th, 2007 10:08 AM |
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J’ded Perspective
The Flyers start their eight-game road trip tonight in Florida with back-to-back games against the Panthers and Lightning. Back-to-back games means one thing. Antero Niittymaki… Niittymaki is scheduled to make his season debut in net tomorrow night in Tampa.
As the season began, Coach John Stevens said when the Flyers have back-to-back games that Martin Biron will be given the second game off. Biron will return to the ice Saturday in Boston.
Niittymaki was the Flyers starting goalie last season and was a disaster. In 53 games, Niittymaki went a pathetic 9-29-9 with a 3.38 GAA and a save percentage below 90%. He spent the off-season working to improve his skills in hopes he could reclaim the starting spot. His off-season workouts didn’t help. Niittymaki went 1-3 with a goals against average around 4.50 in five preseason appearances.
While most would think 1-3 with a 4.50 GAA is equivalent to a poor preseason, Niittymaki isn’t sure.
“I don’t know if I had a tough preseason,” he said recently. Then he paused. ”I guess you could say it was tough. It doesn’t really matter now. . . . I don’t feel bad about preseason.”
I wonder if he feels bad about last season??? Hopefully none of it carries over to the ice tomorrow night.
As good as Biron has been, he isn’t going to play every game. Niittymaki is his backup and will need to see action. I question if having Niittymaki making his debut against the Lightning is the right decision. Maybe starting tonight against the Panthers is a better option.
The Lightning are undefeated at home (4-0), and have outscored their opponents 16-6. Sending a backup goalie with confidence issues into a game where a team plays strong at home is a recipe for disaster.
The Panthers have struggled this season and aren’t considered a playoff contender. They are the perfect fit for a goalie looking to get his feet wet.
The one benefit Niittymaki might have is the Lighting will also be playing their second game in a row tonight. They play tonight in Washington. So after a road game, where they have struggled this season (0-2), they have to travel home to take on the surging Flyers.
Regardless of the outcome, it’ll be interesting to watch. A bad outing by Niitty and look for the fans to be calling for his head.
