Calvin Pickard filling in nicely between the pipes for the Colorado Avalanche
By Andrew Dill
Oct 18, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) makes a save against Montreal Canadiens during the first period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
At the beginning of the season, Reto Berra was cemented as the backup goaltender with Jean-Sebastien Giguere retiring. Berra started out the season very well, allowing just five goals over a span of four games (69-of-74 saves).
Now, Berra appears to have lost his confidence and trust in himself, allowing 16 goals over his last five games – .849% save percentage. Berra has been pulled in favor of goaltender Calvin Pickard, who has shined in his limited action.
Pickard, 22, was recalled from the Lake Erie Monsters on Nov. 18th due to Semyon Varlamov re-injuring his groin that sidelined him earlier in the season. Varlamov has now been placed on injured-reserve, retroactive to Nov. 15th.
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Pickard has done nothing but impress the Avs’ once his number has been called upon.
After Reto Berra allowed three goals in the first period Saturday night vs. Hurricanes, Patrick Roy elected to sub in Calvin Pickard to clean up the mess and he did just that. Colorado, down 3-1, came back to defeat the Canes’ thanks to Pickard’s play. He would stop 17-of-17 shots en route to an Avalanche victory.
The very next game against the Arizona Coyotes was déjà vu. Berra surrendered three quick goals to Arizona and insert Calvin Pickard once again. Colorado would score four unanswered goals (two via Gabriel Landeskog), pulling off an overtime win thanks to Daniel Briere‘s late-game heroics.
Pickard went on to pick up his second-straight win, stopping 25-of-25 shots as he hasn’t allowed a goal in over 95:33 minutes of ice-time (past two games). Below is Pickard’s stats so far this season in four appearances.
Calvin Pickard will be in net for the Colorado Avalanche tonight as they host the Chicago Blackhawks. Puck-drop is scheduled for 9:00 PM EST, 7:00 PM MST.