Leclaire injury puts playoff pursuit in backup's hands
-- Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock walked out of Jobing.com Arena yesterday and saw a young face that momentarily made him forget about his team's four-game losing streak.
It belonged to 19-year-old goaltending prospect Steve Mason, who had just arrived in town with his bright blue equipment bag slung over a shoulder.
"Here comes our savior," Hitchcock said, extending a hand.
The coach was joking, of course. But since the All-Star break, Hitchcock's good humor has been tested more than the goal light behind the Jackets' net.
Hitchcock is hoping that struggling backup Fredrik Norrena can keep the Jackets buoyant as they begin a two-game trip tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes. Norrena likely will start again Friday when the Jackets play the San Jose Sharks and former teammate Jody Shelley.
The team received good news as it learned starting goalie Pascal Leclaire (sprained neck) felt much better and could return to the lineup as soon as Sunday.
"These are two very important games because they are against teams ahead of us in the standings," Hitchcock said. "To win these games, we have to stop creating so many problems for ourselves."
The Jackets have allowed 16 goals in the four losses, falling victim to defensive lapses and suspect goaltending. It had been their ability to defend and repel that had enabled them to forge a tie for the final playoff spot heading into the break.
Mason, the MVP of the World Juniors tournament, was recalled from the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League to serve as an emergency backup after Leclaire was involved in a goalmouth collision Tuesday night. If Norrena struggles early, however, Hitchcock might be tempted to play him.
"It's not our preference," he said. "Our preference is to go with Freddy."
The goaltender, who set a franchise record last season with 24 wins, has not found a rhythm.
Norrena yielded four goals on 20 shots Saturday night in a 4-1 loss to Minnesota and three goals on 13 shots in a relief appearance Tuesday in a 4-3 overtime loss to Washington. Hitchcock did not hide his disappointment with Norrena's effort after either outing, although he stressed the team in front of him surrendered far too many quality scoring chances.
Goaltender coach Clint Malarchuk said Norrena's fundamentals and techniques are sound, but finding a comfort zone has proved elusive with his sporadic starts. Since Dec. 23, Norrena is 1-6-1 with a 3.70 goals-against average and .860 save percentage.
"I haven't played much and I haven't played great when I've played," Norrena said. "The most frustrating thing is that the team is not winning."
Malarchuk said he had an excellent conversation with Norrena after Tuesday's game and considers him a goalie who thrives under pressure situations.
Team captain Adam Foote thinks Norrena just needs to focus on his game and not worry about other elements.
"I have to be the guy they can trust right now," Norrena said. "That's the guy I want to be all the time. You have to be at your best when the stakes are highest."
-- Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock walked out of Jobing.com Arena yesterday and saw a young face that momentarily made him forget about his team's four-game losing streak.
It belonged to 19-year-old goaltending prospect Steve Mason, who had just arrived in town with his bright blue equipment bag slung over a shoulder.
"Here comes our savior," Hitchcock said, extending a hand.
The coach was joking, of course. But since the All-Star break, Hitchcock's good humor has been tested more than the goal light behind the Jackets' net.
Hitchcock is hoping that struggling backup Fredrik Norrena can keep the Jackets buoyant as they begin a two-game trip tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes. Norrena likely will start again Friday when the Jackets play the San Jose Sharks and former teammate Jody Shelley.
The team received good news as it learned starting goalie Pascal Leclaire (sprained neck) felt much better and could return to the lineup as soon as Sunday.
"These are two very important games because they are against teams ahead of us in the standings," Hitchcock said. "To win these games, we have to stop creating so many problems for ourselves."
The Jackets have allowed 16 goals in the four losses, falling victim to defensive lapses and suspect goaltending. It had been their ability to defend and repel that had enabled them to forge a tie for the final playoff spot heading into the break.
Mason, the MVP of the World Juniors tournament, was recalled from the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League to serve as an emergency backup after Leclaire was involved in a goalmouth collision Tuesday night. If Norrena struggles early, however, Hitchcock might be tempted to play him.
"It's not our preference," he said. "Our preference is to go with Freddy."
The goaltender, who set a franchise record last season with 24 wins, has not found a rhythm.
Norrena yielded four goals on 20 shots Saturday night in a 4-1 loss to Minnesota and three goals on 13 shots in a relief appearance Tuesday in a 4-3 overtime loss to Washington. Hitchcock did not hide his disappointment with Norrena's effort after either outing, although he stressed the team in front of him surrendered far too many quality scoring chances.
Goaltender coach Clint Malarchuk said Norrena's fundamentals and techniques are sound, but finding a comfort zone has proved elusive with his sporadic starts. Since Dec. 23, Norrena is 1-6-1 with a 3.70 goals-against average and .860 save percentage.
"I haven't played much and I haven't played great when I've played," Norrena said. "The most frustrating thing is that the team is not winning."
Malarchuk said he had an excellent conversation with Norrena after Tuesday's game and considers him a goalie who thrives under pressure situations.
Team captain Adam Foote thinks Norrena just needs to focus on his game and not worry about other elements.
"I have to be the guy they can trust right now," Norrena said. "That's the guy I want to be all the time. You have to be at your best when the stakes are highest."
