[ComixZone]

I don't get the hate for Ortio right now. He was grossly mishandled at the start of the season. Sure, perhaps something in practice rubbed Hartley the wrong way or something else unknown to us, but there was no excuse to leave Ortio in the rafters for as long as he did.

Ortio's last 4 starts:
CGY @ BOS - GA: 2, SV%: .920
OTT @ CGY - GA: 5, SV% .800
NYI @ CGY - GA: 2, SV%: .941
CGY @ LAK - GA: 2, SV%: 946

If Ortio had ANY goal support, he's 3-1-0 over the course of those 4 games and everyone is talking about how good he is. Those 4 games (well 3 of the 4) should be enough reason for Hartley to continue to play him and see what he has.

That Ottawa game sucked, but it wasn't on Ortio's shoulders. He didn't win us the game, but he certainly didn't lose us the game. In the games versus LA, NYI and BOS - he was our best player. Our goalie being our best player on any given night just isn't something we've been able to say very much this season.

With Ortio, his time is now. He's our best option between the pipes, and he has an awful lot to prove. His play is dictating that he should get the starts. Playing Jonas Hiller last night was a poor decision on Hartley's behalf.

Jonas Hiller has done nothing to deserve playing minutes this year - and the fact that he has continued to play is a key indicator as to why this team failed this year. Last year, every player earned their minutes. They pushed each other. This year? Hiller is given starts for no apparent reason, Wideman gets PP minutes for absolutely no reason at all - and the list goes on. There's no push from the bottom of the roster, because it has been filled with fat sassy vets that don't feel threatened.

I'm in no way saying Ortio is the chosen one (I don't think he'll ever be a starter in the NHL), or even the chosen back-up going forward, but given his play as of late - and the competition he's up against on our roster, it should be his net with Backstrom pushing him. Jonas Hiller shouldn't play again this season, he simply hasn't earned it.