Marc Andre Fleury Makes History Before Going Into Rage Mode and Smashing His Stick

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Stef
February 10, 2023 (8:50)

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In last night's match-up between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Minnesota Wild, everyone knew the two teams had a couple things in common - namely Marc-André Fleury, Ryan Reaves, and Jon Merrill. Unbeknownst to either team at the start of the game, they'd also lose their starting goaltenders; but for two very different reasons.

Fleury's start in the February 9, 2023 game gave him sole possession of the number 4 spot on the list of all-time games played by a goaltender, surpassing Terry Sawchuck's 971.

And he is no stranger to being in the company of the three men ahead of him, either. At number 3 is Patrick Roy (1029), number 2 is Roberto Luongo (1044), and as he does at nearly every goaltending list, Martin Brodeur sits comfortably in the number 1 spot with 1266 games played.

Unfortunately, this Milestone Moment was marred by a multitude of Minnesota mistakes, which resulted in a 4 goal second period for the Knights, Fleury smashing his stick on his net, throwing the pieces down the ice, and being replaced by Gustavsson for the final period.

One of the 5 goals on 23 shots that got by Fleury was Reilly Smith's penalty shot, giving the Knights back their 2 goal lead. Fleury clearly thought he had it, but it just managed to slide through and glide over the line behind him.

And although Logan Thompson started the third period, he suffered an injury about a minute in, and had to be replaced by Adin Hill. Both back-ups stopped all shots faced, and the Knights won the game, 5-1.

In a Twitter post, Joe Smith stated that Fleury said he shouldn't have thrown his stick, and that he was just «angry», and it kept building.
Understandably so, as the Wild also lost their previous game to Dallas by a score of 4-1, with Gus in the net. But Fleury being Fleury, feels that even if the team isn't playing well, he should somehow be able to single-handedly get them a win. Now, he might not have been at his best, last night, but the result most certainly does not solely rest on him.

And yet, when asked how this team could possibly get out of the physical and emotional slump they're in, Fleury responded with recognizing that they «need to talk about it.» They need to review not only the mistakes, but the good things, and help one another. After all, it is only February. «It's better to have a rough patch now than later on.»
He's definitely not wrong on that.

The Wild have Friday off, and will face the New Jersey Devils, Saturday night, in the second of their 7 game homestead.