Zero
11-12-2005, 10:49 AM
Lalime benched in effort to end streak
By Jeremy Rutherford (jrutherford@<hidden>)
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, Nov. 12 2005
NASHVILLE, TENN. — Curtis Sanford is in. Patrick Lalime is out.
At least for now.
Hoping like "H-E-double-hockey-stick" to snap a 10-game losing streak tonight
against the Nashville Predators, the Blues have made a switch with their
goaltenders. The team placed backup goalie Reinhard Divis on waivers Friday and
promoted Sanford from Peoria into the starting spot.
"As you can see, the way the season has gone so far, we needed to have a
change," Blues coach Mike Kitchen said. "We're just looking for a different
face."
Sanford, who was 6-0 with two shutouts this season with the Rivermen, got the
news late Thursday night. He made the 3 1/2-drive from Peoria on Friday morning
and was on the ice with the team for an afternoon practice.
"There's going to be butter-flies," Sanford said. "Hopefully I can work my way
into a comfort zone. I don't want to get too comfortable, but hopefully bring
the confidence I had down in Peoria up here with me."
Sanford was just in a Blues uniform Oct. 29. He was called up in an emergency
situation, when Lalime suffered a bruised knee. But Divis played the entire
game, a 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.
Two weeks later, Sanford rejoins the team under different circumstances. With
Lalime faltering - he has started eight games in the 10-game losing streak and
allowed four or more goals in five of those - the Blues hope Sanford can be the
sparkplug they're seeking.
"Obviously it's for a different reason," he said. "I think they're showing
confidence in me, with the decision that they've made, bringing me up here.
Hopefully, I can live up to it. That's what I'm striving for. I want a
permanent job in the NHL, and this is my big opportunity."
Sanford played with the Blues in 2002-03. A rash of injuries forced the team to
use seven goalies that season, which tied an NHL record. In eight games,
Sanford was 5-1 with a 1.96 goals-against average.
"Sanford came up in a tough time and played well for us," said Kitchen, who was
an assistant with the Blues at the time.
Sanford played the 2003-04 and '04-05 seasons in Worcester, where he was
39-41-3. He has been in a hot competition with another Blues goalie prospect,
Jason Bacashihua, this season at Peoria , and Sanford believes that has helped
him. He insists he's more prepared this go-around with the Blues.
"Obviously, I'm three years older," said Sanford, now 26. "There was a little
awe in me (in '02-03). But I feel now like I belong and I can contribute at
this level."
What does this mean for Lalime, who is 2-9-3 with an .867 save-percentage? With
a $2.4 million salary, he will remain in whatever plans the Blues have. But if
Sanford would get the Blues untracked, the team would probably stick with him.
By Jeremy Rutherford (jrutherford@<hidden>)
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, Nov. 12 2005
NASHVILLE, TENN. — Curtis Sanford is in. Patrick Lalime is out.
At least for now.
Hoping like "H-E-double-hockey-stick" to snap a 10-game losing streak tonight
against the Nashville Predators, the Blues have made a switch with their
goaltenders. The team placed backup goalie Reinhard Divis on waivers Friday and
promoted Sanford from Peoria into the starting spot.
"As you can see, the way the season has gone so far, we needed to have a
change," Blues coach Mike Kitchen said. "We're just looking for a different
face."
Sanford, who was 6-0 with two shutouts this season with the Rivermen, got the
news late Thursday night. He made the 3 1/2-drive from Peoria on Friday morning
and was on the ice with the team for an afternoon practice.
"There's going to be butter-flies," Sanford said. "Hopefully I can work my way
into a comfort zone. I don't want to get too comfortable, but hopefully bring
the confidence I had down in Peoria up here with me."
Sanford was just in a Blues uniform Oct. 29. He was called up in an emergency
situation, when Lalime suffered a bruised knee. But Divis played the entire
game, a 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.
Two weeks later, Sanford rejoins the team under different circumstances. With
Lalime faltering - he has started eight games in the 10-game losing streak and
allowed four or more goals in five of those - the Blues hope Sanford can be the
sparkplug they're seeking.
"Obviously it's for a different reason," he said. "I think they're showing
confidence in me, with the decision that they've made, bringing me up here.
Hopefully, I can live up to it. That's what I'm striving for. I want a
permanent job in the NHL, and this is my big opportunity."
Sanford played with the Blues in 2002-03. A rash of injuries forced the team to
use seven goalies that season, which tied an NHL record. In eight games,
Sanford was 5-1 with a 1.96 goals-against average.
"Sanford came up in a tough time and played well for us," said Kitchen, who was
an assistant with the Blues at the time.
Sanford played the 2003-04 and '04-05 seasons in Worcester, where he was
39-41-3. He has been in a hot competition with another Blues goalie prospect,
Jason Bacashihua, this season at Peoria , and Sanford believes that has helped
him. He insists he's more prepared this go-around with the Blues.
"Obviously, I'm three years older," said Sanford, now 26. "There was a little
awe in me (in '02-03). But I feel now like I belong and I can contribute at
this level."
What does this mean for Lalime, who is 2-9-3 with an .867 save-percentage? With
a $2.4 million salary, he will remain in whatever plans the Blues have. But if
Sanford would get the Blues untracked, the team would probably stick with him.