Colorado Avalanche Goaltender Semyon Varlmaov Named A Vezina Finalist
By Andrew Dill
Apr 21, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) makes a save during the third period against the Minnesota Wild in game three of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
We all knew coming into the Stanley Cup Playoffs that Colorado Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov has had a season for the ages, but Friday morning he would be nominated for the Vezina Trophy along with Tuukka Rask (Boston Bruins) and Ben Bishop (Tampa Bay Lightning). Varlamov has been a brick wall in net thus far for the Avalanche in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, despite the teams 2-2 record. In game three’s 1-0 overtime loss to the Wild, Varlamov didn’t get any help from his defense as he stopped 45-of-46 shots for a save percentage of .978%.
Varlamov’s spectacular season led the Colorado Avalanche to a Central Division title, earning a record of 52-22-8, 112 points. The team was equally as good on the road as they were at home, posting a 26-11-4 record at home/road.
Semyon led the entire National Hockey League in wins with 41 which surpassed his rookie head coach Patrick Roy‘s record of 40 set back in 2001-02’ with the Avs. Varly was third in the NHL in save percentage (.927) but was 20th in the league in goals against average (2.41). In all fairness to Varlamov, he faced 2,013 shots this season in which no goaltender was even close to him in that category. Dallas Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen trailed Varlamov in the shot department by 125 shots even with a two game advantage.
Varlamov has saved the Avalanche thus far in the first-round against the Minnesota Wild but the offense needed to cooperate. He has saved 134-of-143 shots for a .937% save percentage, sitting at a record of 2-2. What’s most impressive is the goals against average is a measly 2.19. Whether Varlamov wins the award or not, Avalanche fans should appreciate the kind of season he as provided for the franchise; although there is still work left to do in the postseason.