Penguins

AHL

September 24, 2009

Long-shot goalie Sterling turns in solid camp

Larry Sterling’s time in WBS may be ending, but he has impressed so far.

By Tom Venesky tvenesky@timesleader.com
Sports Reporter
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PITTSTON — Larry Sterling knows the odds are stacked against him. As an undrafted goaltender that never played at the college level, and with five goaltenders already signed in Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, expectations weren’t too high for the 26-year-old Michigan native when he came to camp as a tryout.

But that didn’t stop Sterling from playing with confidence when he started last weekend’s exhibition game in Binghamton and promptly stopped all 14 shots he faced in the first period.

Sterling went on to save 34 of the 38 shots he faced on the night, and despite the 4-2 loss, he managed to open some eyes along the way.

“Larry’s been a pleasant surprise at camp,” said WBS head coach Todd Reirden. “He was really good in the game against Binghamton, he’s really good in practice and his compete level is high. He was a guy we didn’t know too much about and he’s done all we’ve asked of him.”

Sterling spent the last two seasons playing for Port Huron in the International Hockey League. Last season he posted a record of 27-15-6 with a 2.68 goals against average and a .906 save percentage. Prior to the 2007 season, Sterling spent four years in the Central Hockey League and attended several AHL camps along the way.

Coming into Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s camp, Sterling is fully aware the organization has a wealth of goaltenders already signed, but that didn’t dampen his determination.

“I’ve been through everything before,” Sterling said. “In my situation it’s tougher because I wasn’t drafted and I didn’t play college, so I’m trying to make my own way. It’s tough.”

That’s why Sterling hasn’t placed expectations on himself that are too high.

He simply wants to open some eyes.

“I’m confident in my ability and I know I can play at this level. I just have to impress them as much as possible,” Sterling said. That situation became more complicated for Sterling on Wednesday when goaltender Brad Thiessen was included in Pittsburgh’s cuts. When he arrives in camp, Theissen will join Adam Berkhoel as goaltenders already signed by the organization.

It could mean an end to Sterling’s tryout, except for the injury issues surrounding Berkhoel and Pittsburgh back netminder Brent Johnson, which resulted in an extended stay up top for John Curry.

“I’ve been in hockey a long time now and I know what the situation is,” Sterling said. “All I can do is stop everything I face and make an impression in a short amount of time.”

Exactly how much time Sterling has left in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s camp remains to be seen, but it is safe to say he has made an impression.

“We feel comfortable with him,” Reirden said. “His practice habits have been great and he exudes confidence.”

NOTES: On Tuesday Pittsburgh sent 13 players to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, including forwards Wade Brookbank, Luca Caputi, Dustin Jeffrey, Nick Johnson, Konstantin Pushkarev, Wyatt Smith, Eric Tangradi, Joe Vitale and Tim Wallace; defensemen Robert Bortuzzo, Jonathan D’Aversa and Chris Lee; and goaltender Brad Thiessen.

• The Penguins also re-assigned 2009 first-round pick Simon Despres to Saint John of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

• Wilkes-Barre/Scranton also made several moves on Tuesday, releasing defensemen Evan Case and Kevin Schmidt and forwards Tim Crowder, Rob Hisey, Sean O’Connor and Braden Walls from training camp.

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