I would have liked a "no step back" option as unlike last year where yes, absolutely Ortio was the reason for wins and losing him was an absolute devastation, we don't have that same thing this year.
Ortio is one of the better/best players on the team, but the makeup of this team over last year doesn't make the loss of him as bad. Same way if we lost Poirier, the offense wouldn't dry up. We have a very strong backup goalie whose ranked #14 in the AHL, and technically better then Ortio who is ranked #26. We also have a defensive system that doesn't involve the words "Ortio will stop it, don't worry if it slips through us" like last year. We are not handcuffed in the same way we were last year. Thiessen's last 4 starts have him posting a 0.00, 1.02, 1.79 and 1.00 GAA and SV% of 1.00, .947, .959 and .963. That's solid for a starter, nevermind the backup. If you look at his starts for the year, aside from the disaster we call October and a couple real bed messers (both times the team in front of him gave up and he really didn't have anything to work with), he's kept the GAA below 2.00 and SV% above .940. There's NOTHING wrong with that.
As I said in the General Discussion thread, I don't have a concern with losing Ortio. Thiessen has been excellent lately and is more then able to take over the job for a few nights. Carr is also an excellent goalie and can handle the job. Our defensive play, both from defencemen and forwards has been stingy and something Huska is demanding better from constantly. I actually expect the guys to play a little stronger for Thiessen, as they did for the SO in Rochester.
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