Tiger Trauma
03-31-2007, 03:18 AM
http://www.medicinehatnews.com/article_5206.php
Keetley earns his redemption
Just when it seemed most in Medicine Hat were doubting him, Tigers goaltender Matt Keetley came through with his biggest clutch win of the season.
Keetley was sensational making 27 solid saves in a 4-0 shutout victory over the Red Deer Rebels Friday in Game 5 of the WHL Eastern Conference quarter-final series at The Arena.
The win gives the Tigers a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, and they can close it out with a Game 6 victory Sunday in Red Deer.
The overager was named the game’s first star and left to chants of "Keets." He tossed his water bottle to an appreciative fan in the sellout crowd of 4,006 at The Arena.
He was unavailable for post-game interviews due to the fact he had to get iced down by the team’s medical staff.
“Keets showed why he is up for top goalie in the league," said Tigers left-winger Kevin Undershute, who had a goal and an assist in the win. ”He is an unbelievable goalie.
“He works extremely hard on and off the ice. It is just nice for him to get that shutout.”
It was the second time in the playoffs Keetley bounced back from a tough outing. He earned a 5-0 shutout victory in Game 2 after a 6-2 loss in Game 1. He took the heat in coffee row after the Tigers lost Game 4 by a 6-4 count Wednesday in Red Deer.
Tigers head coach Willie Desjardins knew his netminder would bounce back.
“We expect it from him,” said Desjardins. “He is a real good goaltender.
“I guess you make it though, when you step up and play big in big games. He battled, and he will play big for us.”
Rebels starter James Reimer, who made 17 saves on 21 shots, had a more frustrating outing.
“I thought we played a pretty good game overall,” said Rebels head coach Brent Sutter. “Their power play got three goals, and our power play didn’t score.
“Their goaltender outplayed our goaltender. Our goaltender didn’t make any good saves tonight.”
Overage left-winger Chris Stevens brought the sellout crowd to their feet at the 5:22 mark of the first period. He slipped a shot by Reimer to put the Tigers up 1-0.
Tigers captain Kris Russell and centre Brennan Bosch scored power-play goals 21 seconds apart late in the second period. Undershute rounded out the scoring with a late power-play goal in the third.
The game became chippy late in the third. At the 13:26 mark, Rebels left-winger Brennen Wray checked Russell from behind into the boards in the Tigers end. Russell did not return and his status for Game 6 is uncertain.
-End
Keetely defintely played well tonight. Made a nice breakaway stop, and a handful of other good saves. Hopfeully russel, and ennis are back for game 6.
The wasden, sauer, undershute line has played amazing for us this series. They have really stepped it up a notch. I like when undershute sneaks out from the corner, he has a deceptivly, accurate wrist shot.
Keetley earns his redemption
Just when it seemed most in Medicine Hat were doubting him, Tigers goaltender Matt Keetley came through with his biggest clutch win of the season.
Keetley was sensational making 27 solid saves in a 4-0 shutout victory over the Red Deer Rebels Friday in Game 5 of the WHL Eastern Conference quarter-final series at The Arena.
The win gives the Tigers a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, and they can close it out with a Game 6 victory Sunday in Red Deer.
The overager was named the game’s first star and left to chants of "Keets." He tossed his water bottle to an appreciative fan in the sellout crowd of 4,006 at The Arena.
He was unavailable for post-game interviews due to the fact he had to get iced down by the team’s medical staff.
“Keets showed why he is up for top goalie in the league," said Tigers left-winger Kevin Undershute, who had a goal and an assist in the win. ”He is an unbelievable goalie.
“He works extremely hard on and off the ice. It is just nice for him to get that shutout.”
It was the second time in the playoffs Keetley bounced back from a tough outing. He earned a 5-0 shutout victory in Game 2 after a 6-2 loss in Game 1. He took the heat in coffee row after the Tigers lost Game 4 by a 6-4 count Wednesday in Red Deer.
Tigers head coach Willie Desjardins knew his netminder would bounce back.
“We expect it from him,” said Desjardins. “He is a real good goaltender.
“I guess you make it though, when you step up and play big in big games. He battled, and he will play big for us.”
Rebels starter James Reimer, who made 17 saves on 21 shots, had a more frustrating outing.
“I thought we played a pretty good game overall,” said Rebels head coach Brent Sutter. “Their power play got three goals, and our power play didn’t score.
“Their goaltender outplayed our goaltender. Our goaltender didn’t make any good saves tonight.”
Overage left-winger Chris Stevens brought the sellout crowd to their feet at the 5:22 mark of the first period. He slipped a shot by Reimer to put the Tigers up 1-0.
Tigers captain Kris Russell and centre Brennan Bosch scored power-play goals 21 seconds apart late in the second period. Undershute rounded out the scoring with a late power-play goal in the third.
The game became chippy late in the third. At the 13:26 mark, Rebels left-winger Brennen Wray checked Russell from behind into the boards in the Tigers end. Russell did not return and his status for Game 6 is uncertain.
-End
Keetely defintely played well tonight. Made a nice breakaway stop, and a handful of other good saves. Hopfeully russel, and ennis are back for game 6.
The wasden, sauer, undershute line has played amazing for us this series. They have really stepped it up a notch. I like when undershute sneaks out from the corner, he has a deceptivly, accurate wrist shot.