|
|
|
Saturday, January 27, 2001
Goring says goalie has earned start
ESPN.com news services
|
The Islanders' future begins Saturday night when No. 1 overall draft pick Rick
DiPietro makes his long anticipated NHL debut against the Sabres at the
Coliseum, the New York Post reported Friday.
The Isles recalled the 19-year-old goaltender yesterday from Chicago of the
IHL.
"Rick's earned it," coach Butch Goring said last night after the Islanders'
3-2 victory against the Rangers at the Garden. "It's time to give him a game
and see what he can do."
Wade Flaherty (32 saves) showed what he could do last night when he stepped
in as a late-day replacement for John Vanbiesbrouck, who was shelved by
back-spasms. However, Flaherty will return to the bench tonight in favor of
giving DiPietro his first start.
This marks DiPietro's third trip to the Islanders this season. He didn't
play in either of his previous quick visits. Both Goring and general manager
Mike Milbury had been hesitant to use DiPietro earlier this season for fear
that a poor performance could damage his confidence. Nonetheless, they are
testing DiPietro tonight against a tough playoff-bound team in the Sabres.
After a slow start with Chicago this season, DiPietro has progressed nicely.
He is 4-5-2 with a 3.39 GAA and a .880 save percentage. As the U.S. team
goalie in the World Junior Championships in December in Russia, DiPietro was
a 5-1-0, with a 1.33 GAA and .927 save percentage.
In June, the Islanders made DiPietro the first goalie ever chosen No. 1
overall in the modern-day Entry Draft. Drafted after his freshman season at
Boston University, he signed a three-year deal for $3.225 million, plus
incentives that could bring him another $10 million.
However, DiPietro, slowed by an injury early in training camp, failed to
convince the club he was ready for the NHL and was assigned to Chicago. As a
result, the plan to have Vanbiesbrouck serve as a tutor for DiPietro this
season has been delayed.
Whether DiPietro's visit to the Isles is temporary or permanent is not
believed to be determined. However, a good performance tonight would make a
strong impression.
"He's got all the tools," Milbury said at DiPietro's signing in April. "He's
got character and he is one. When I get fired, he'll still be playing."
As for Vanbiesbrouck, 37, he had participated in the team's morning skate at
the Garden, but his back proved too stiff to play against his former team
last night. It would have marked Vanbiesbrouck's first appearance in an
Isles uniform at the Garden, where he played for nine seasons as a Ranger.
He said after the game that he doesn't expect to be out for long.
For Flaherty, it was his first victory since Dec. 29 against Atlanta.
"The biggest thing is to get the win," said Flaherty, who learned he would
get the start 21/2 hours before the game. "But it's nice to beat the
Rangers. I've been working hard and doing some extra drills."
|
|
|
|
