Tipped Off
11-27-2007, 01:42 PM
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20071127/SPORTS/711270021/1004
Portland's Mucha gets a chance to be great
The Winter Hawks goaltender saves an astounding 65 shots in win over Chilliwack
By Nick Patterson
Herald Writer
Kurtis Mucha finds himself in one of the most difficult situations in the entire Western Hockey League.
As the No. 1 goaltender for the Portland Winter Hawks, the team with the worst record in the league for the second straight season, Mucha's job often seems more like a target in a shooting gallery rather than a hockey netminder. He usually has the unenviable task of trying to keep the score sane while being put under siege.
But Mucha's predicament also affords him the opportunity to do something special, and Saturday night he earned himself a much-deserved moment in the spotlight.
Mucha made an astounding 65 saves in a single game Saturday night, backstopping the Winter Hawks to a 4-3 victory over the Chilliwack Bruins.
With the Portland goal innundated with shots, it was Mucha's efforts that proved the difference as the Winter Hawks won for just the fifth time this season.
Mucha was particularly under fire during the third period, when the Bruins somehow managed to squeeze off 32 shots -- a full game's worth in most instances. Mucha stopped 29 of those and Portland, which led 4-0 going into the period, held on for victory.
"We pretty much ran every play we know how to run," Chilliwack left wing Mark Santorelli told the Chilliwack Progress. "The goalie was great. He's very good and he made some spectacular
saves."
It's unknown exactly where Mucha's performance stands in the pantheon of WHL goaltending accomplishments. The WHL record book does not include a record for most saves in a game.
Portland's Mucha gets a chance to be great
The Winter Hawks goaltender saves an astounding 65 shots in win over Chilliwack
By Nick Patterson
Herald Writer
Kurtis Mucha finds himself in one of the most difficult situations in the entire Western Hockey League.
As the No. 1 goaltender for the Portland Winter Hawks, the team with the worst record in the league for the second straight season, Mucha's job often seems more like a target in a shooting gallery rather than a hockey netminder. He usually has the unenviable task of trying to keep the score sane while being put under siege.
But Mucha's predicament also affords him the opportunity to do something special, and Saturday night he earned himself a much-deserved moment in the spotlight.
Mucha made an astounding 65 saves in a single game Saturday night, backstopping the Winter Hawks to a 4-3 victory over the Chilliwack Bruins.
With the Portland goal innundated with shots, it was Mucha's efforts that proved the difference as the Winter Hawks won for just the fifth time this season.
Mucha was particularly under fire during the third period, when the Bruins somehow managed to squeeze off 32 shots -- a full game's worth in most instances. Mucha stopped 29 of those and Portland, which led 4-0 going into the period, held on for victory.
"We pretty much ran every play we know how to run," Chilliwack left wing Mark Santorelli told the Chilliwack Progress. "The goalie was great. He's very good and he made some spectacular
saves."
It's unknown exactly where Mucha's performance stands in the pantheon of WHL goaltending accomplishments. The WHL record book does not include a record for most saves in a game.