Former NHL Goalie Feels Like He's Getting �'The Finger'' From Alex Stalock - And It's A Compliment
No one understands goalies better than other goalies. Yes, they all have their own style and individuality, but when it comes to knowing what it takes and how it feels, it all comes down to «IYKYK». And former NHL goaltender Mike McKenna definitely knows. He's held the position for 29 years, was drafted by the Nashville Predators in 2002, and played for 8 NHL teams over the course of 14 years.
Goalies are a unique breed and can critique themselves, and each other, with deep severity. Because of that, they can also see when a fellow net-minder deserves praise; as is the case with McKenna on Alex Stalock of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Stalock has been the starter for the past few games while Petr Mrázek is dealing with injury. In his 4 starts, the 35 year old has won 3, and holds a .938 SV%. Honestly, no one expected that. It doesn't seem like the Blackhawks expected that. You never actually expect your starter to get injured in the first week of the season, but it happens. Stalock is all too familiar with that scenario. Just days after winning his first NHL game in 2011 for the San Jose Sharks, Alex was sent to their AHL affiliate in Worcester, MA, where an opponent stepped on the back of his leg, cutting a tendon, and slicing his perineal nerve. He lost feeling and movement in his lower leg, and had to literally retrain himself to walk, as well as be a goalie. Thankfully, he was able to play again by the end of the 2011-12 season, but the next few years were rough, and he bounced back and forth between the NHL and the AHL.
Then, after dealing with COVID, Stalock was diagnosed with myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart muscle, and was out for the entire 2020-21 season.
https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl-oilers-goalie-alex-stalock-miss-entire-season-with-heart-condition-covid-19-related-191817673.html
Again, when the Blackhawks took him on, no one was expecting much from him. No one really thought of him as any more than what he was; a back-up. But sometimes, injuries happen, and you're forced to step up. Look at the what the Penguins when through at the end of last season, and into the Playoffs. Seattle is dealing with a similar situation as the Hawks; Philip Grubauer is out, so Martin Jones has been getting all the starts, and some wins, including one that gave him his 200th NHL win, and his 400th NHL game.
But when you look at what was expected of Alex Stalock, and what he's accomplished since then, you can't help be impressed. And kudos to Mike McKenna for speaking up on his behalf and showing that goalies don't quit.
Goalies choose to have large men shoot compact discs of vulcanized rubber at them at speeds of close to 100mph. You think a goalie is too old? Washed up? Lost their skill? Watch Alex Stalock and the Blackhawks continue to prove you wrong.
| POLL | ||
Do you keep Mrazek as starter when he comes back, or make them a tandem? | ||
| Mrazek | 47 | 20.2 % |
| Tandem | 64 | 27.5 % |
| Make Stalock the starter | 81 | 34.8 % |
| Score more goals | 41 | 17.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
