The Komets' goaltending tandem of Kevin Reiter and Shawn Degagne should be solid -- at least if Degagne's shoulder holds up -- but Flint just may have one-upped the Komets today. According to the Flint Journal, the Generals have signed Chad Alban, a former NHL prospect, to go along with Eric Marvin.
It's refreshingly different to see teams not putting all their stock in just one goaltender these days. It reminds me of the glory days of the NHL -- that's the 1980s, by the way -- when teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs platooned goalenders Allan Bester and Ken Wregget and the Detroit Red Wings had Greg Stefan and Glen Hanlon. Different goalies bring different styles that can be successful on different nights. Plus, it's fun to see them compete for playing time.
No question, Flint's netminders will give teams like the Komets plenty to think about.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
Justin you are killing me!! Allan Bester and Ken Wregget???
I lived (and died) with those teams. Wregget I felt bad for because he was a good goalie on an awful team. But Bester???? He couldn't stop a balloon if he was covered with pins!
How about when Montreal had Patrick Roy and Brian Hayward or Edmonton had Fuhr and Moog? Or if you are going to bring up the Leafs how about the last year they won the cup when they had two stiffs named Sawchuk and Bower.
I am glad to see Alban around. I enjoyed watching the way he and Marco Emond played because they were good skaters as well as good goalies.
Posted by: Tony E | August 27, 2007 at 03:29 PM
The 92-93 Leafs with Fuhr and Potvin weren't bad either ;-)
Posted by: Tony E | August 27, 2007 at 03:32 PM
Belfour/Hasek
Posted by: Junior | August 27, 2007 at 04:05 PM
Flint had another combo way back when, I'll give you 6 cents to figure it out.....
Posted by: paulsy | August 27, 2007 at 04:05 PM
Flint is fielding a great team this year.
Posted by: Junior | August 27, 2007 at 04:06 PM
Okay Tony, I gotta bust out Peter Ing again :-)
Posted by: Greg | August 27, 2007 at 04:13 PM
How dare you rip on Allan Bester. ... And don't make me drop an Eddie Mio on you. ... Or a Vernon/Osgood. ... I was just reliving my youth with the Bester/Wregget combo.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | August 27, 2007 at 05:04 PM
Justin I tried to be a Bester fan. You have seen how tall I am and whe I was starting out as a goalie he gave me hope. I think they listed him at 5'8 but 5'6 was more like it. But man, he had Hardy Astrom syndrome! I swear he ducked at any puck that was not shot on the ice! And at his size ducking created an opening at the top 3/4 of the net.
Greg I ripped Ing awhile back and I don't remember who I almost offended (if that was you I really don't remember) I could do a sad drama to bad Leafs goalies of the 80's and 90's. Didnt Rick St Croix play for the Komets??
Posted by: Tony E | August 27, 2007 at 06:07 PM
Junior did Hasek get much playing time with Belfour?
Posted by: Tony E | August 27, 2007 at 06:08 PM
Flint's shaping up to be much better than they have been in years. As for the goalie situation, who knows. Flint does look to be leading the pack, but we shall see come hockey time. Besides, not many of us U/IHL fans know what Degagne is capable of doing between the pipes. As far as defense in general, Komets are looking good thus far. Two legit goalies, at least two very solid defensemen in Dupuis and Hansen, and two UHL defensive forward winners in Chaulk and Hukalo. Plus who knows about the rookies. Hopefully the Komets keep this trend going in the defense department.
Offense is looking good too. Komets better put Marchant on Chaulk's line. If Marchant stays healthy, he'll have a record season (I'm calling it first!) Find a 30+ goal scorer to play on the other side of Chaulk and you'll have a line that'll rack up points every game. Heck maybe one of these rookies may be the answer.
Posted by: dnl | August 27, 2007 at 07:15 PM
OK, Paulsy. How about Penney and Knickle?
Posted by: Rick | August 27, 2007 at 07:48 PM
eric marvin? come on cohnhead, i wouldnt have that guy on my team so how does flint llo so solid?
Posted by: chuckitt | August 27, 2007 at 09:59 PM
Justin forgot the great Komets tandem of Mike Torchia and Pat Mazzoli
Posted by: Tony E | August 27, 2007 at 10:48 PM
Yep, St. Croix did play for the Komets. THat was in my High Schools days and didn't go see the Komets much. Torchia and Mazzoli, that'll bring up nightmares.
Posted by: Greg | August 28, 2007 at 08:41 AM
Rick,
you got it, wondered if anyone would catch on to the 6 cents bit.
I trained with St. Croix when he was here, great goalie and a good coach too. I learned a lot from him.
Posted by: paulsy | August 28, 2007 at 11:37 AM
He did become a very good and very respected goalie coach. In all fairness to him he was playing in the shadow of Mike Palmateer who is one of the most beloved goalies in Maple Leafs history. He was actually one of the best of the 1980's backups they had in an era of an over the hill Bunny Laroque, Paul Harrison and others.
Posted by: Tony E | August 28, 2007 at 12:06 PM