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One of the biggest motivators for athletes is being told that they aren't good enough. It has a tendency to give the "slighted" player an F' You mentality and increase their level of play. In the case of Craig Anderson, the slight has led to huge increase in performance.
Brian Burke announced the Olympic roster for Team USA on New Year's Day; a roster that did not include Anderson. Since that announcement Anderson has a 7-1-0 record, a 1.69 GAA, a .956 save percentage and his first two shutouts of the season. The Avalanche are in the midst of a six-game winning streak and have moved back into first place in the Northwest Division.
So thanks, Burkie. It's too bad for Craig Anderson that he doesn't get to represent his country in the Olympics but the snub seems to have revitalized him and the Avalanche out of a mid-season malaise. And the Canadian snipers won't have to worry about putting pucks past him next month. We still have to deal will Ryan Miller, but you can't win them all.
And finally, a big thank you Burke from the Red and White Army fantasy hockey team. Craig Anderson stellar play has allowed the team to increase its lead to over 600 points. Gold stars all around.
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You're going to put Anderson ahead of Miller? Thomas maybe, but he's the old vet who's been there before. Jon Quick's leading the league in wins but probably won't even sniff ice time in the tournament.
ReplyDeleteGive me your top 5 big game performances from Craig Anderson? Maybe he's disappointed, but I wouldn't call it much of a slight to rate Anderson below these three keepers.
Since I managed to miss this post, I'll dissect it one line at a time.
ReplyDelete"You're going to put Anderson ahead of Miller?"
No. In fact I said "We still have to deal with Ryan Miller, but you can't win them all." It's pretty clear that I believe that Miller is the best American goaltender and expect him to play every game for them (which he has so far)
"Thomas maybe, but he's the old vet who's been there before."
No, he's the old journey man who finally made good. Tim Thomas has never played for the US in the Olympics. While he played with the National Team when he was in college (and just after) he didn't start playing with them against in World Championships until 2005 when he started for Finnish team Jokerit during the lockout and he was already 31 at this time.
He didn't have a starter's job until 2006-07 (in 05-06, he split goaltending responsibilities with Andrew Raycroft and Hannu Toivonen) and has been starting for Bruins since. In addition, he has only been to the playoffs twice since he's been named the starter where his teams won exactly one series. So you're basing your statement on three and half years of NHL experience. One of which he had a great regular season (2008-09) with two and half mediocre to good seasons where he has run hot and cold. Not exactly who I would be trusting as my backup goaltender.
"Jon Quick's leading the league in wins but probably won't even sniff ice time in the tournament."
Yes, he leads the NHL in wins but he also leads the league in total goals against. Why? Only Martin Brodeur has play more minutes or games (Quick is tied with Kiprusoff with 55 GP. Fat Brodeur has played 58).
To use more than just wins, Anderson has a better GAA, save percentage and more shutouts. And he does this playing behind a weaker defence. Quick plays behind Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson, Rob Scuderi and Sean O'Donnell. Anderson plays behind Scott Hannan, Kyle Quincy, Brett Clark and John-Michael Lilles. I'd much rather have the Kings defence over the Avs.
"Give me your top 5 big game performances from Craig Anderson?"
Okay:
1. 38 saves on 40 shots to beat San Jose 5-2 on opening night (San Jose outshoots Colorado 40-20)
2. 35 save shutout in the next game against Vancouver (3-0 result; Avs outshot 35-27)
3. 48 saves on 49 shots to beat Detroit on October 24 (3-1 result; Avs outshot 49-23)
4. 44 saves on 46 shots to beat Calgary on January 11 (3-2 shoot win; Avs outshot 46-21, Anderson stops two of three Flames shooters)
5. 37 saves on 38 shots to beat New Jersey on January 16 (3-1 result; Avs outshot 38-28)
"Maybe he's disappointed, but I wouldn't call it much of a slight to rate Anderson below these three keepers."
Pick the goalie(s):
A. 35-17-3, 2.53 GAA, .907 Sv%, 2 SOs
B. 31-16-4, 2.42 GAA, .924 Sv%, 6 SOs
C. 13-15-7, 2.52 GAA, .915 Sv%, 4 SOs
A has the best win-loss but that's it. C's win-loss isn't great but has better GAA, Sv % and more shutouts. But B has a far better GAA and Sv % and more shoutouts and a slightly worse record than A but its far better than C.
A is Quick. B is Anderson. C is Thomas.