Gone Puck Wild
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Minnesota Wild: Lost Game to Tyler Bozak in Less Than 30 Seconds

By Cody Defoe

ST. LOUIS, MO - NOVEMBER 25: Jaden Schwartz #17 of the St. Louis Blues takes a shot as Matt Dumba #24 of the Minnesota Wild defends at Scottrade Center on November 25, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Rovak/NHLI via Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - NOVEMBER 25: Jaden Schwartz #17 of the St. Louis Blues takes a shot as Matt Dumba #24 of the Minnesota Wild defends at Scottrade Center on November 25, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Rovak/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Wild, Alex Stalock
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 16: Alex Stalock #32 of the Minnesota Wild blocks a Vegas Golden Knights’ shot in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wild won 4-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Alex Stalock

Alex Stalock was tasked with following up on an impressive performance from Andrew Hammond. The battle for the Minnesota Wild back-up goalie should only heat up from here.

Stalock’s final numbers don’t read as pretty as Hammond’s did, Stalock allowed 3 goals on 26 shots and lost a lead late in the game.

Where the numbers are misleading, however, is that Stalock was standing on his head while the team around him were hanging back and letting him try to win the game on his own.

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He made a brilliant save in the second on a Sammy Blais breakway to keep the 2-1 lead, and was up to the task of shutting down the Blues offense for most of the game.

Just prior to the tying goal Stalock had to be solid, as he faced a strong shift from the Blues that included 2 great scoring opportunities for Alex Pietrangelo. The first was steered away with Stalock’s blocker; the second was gloved and held for a whistle.

Based on my observations, I would give round 1 of this goalie battle to the returning backup goalie. While Hammond had a better save percentage and stopped more shots, Stalock faced higher quality chances. The goals that did go in were ones that Stalock had no chance at. The Minnesota Wild defense needed to be better in front of him.

I would look for coach Boudreau to give Stalock and Hammond a chance to share the net for a game later in the preseason. An opportunity to compare their performances against the same opponent with the same lineup in front of them.

It’s a nice problem to be looking at, to have 2 capable backup goaltenders fighting for the same spot. Should tragedy strike during the season, I would be confident with either guy carrying the team for a short time.

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