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Back-to-back games gets goaltender on right track after rough start.
WILKES-BARRE — Despite having five days off before opening a back-to-back set of road games beginning last Friday against Springfield followed by a Saturday night match against Hershey, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins head coach John Hynes knew goaltender Brad Thiessen was ready to be in net for both contests.
How?
Well, Hynes said Thiessen was in the right frame of mind to handle the heavy workload.
“It was really important for him to get his mindset right throughout the week leading up to Friday’s game,” Hynes said. “He got some extra work in during the week to work on it.”
Still, being in the right frame of mind was just one part of the deal. It ensured Thiessen got the start on Friday, but he still had to earn a second start the following day.
A 26-save shutout against Springfield was certainly good enough to earn Thiessen another night in net.
“He played well. If our goaltenders are playing well, then they can play back-to-back,” Hynes said after Monday’s practice at Coal Street.
The double-dose of ice time got Thiessen back on track after a rough start to the season. In his first four starts, Thiessen posted one win while allowing 11 goals, including five goals in a 5-4 overtime loss to Binghamton.
But last weekend, Thiessen reverted back to his stellar self, blanking the potent Springfield offense with 26 saves and then limiting Hershey to one goal on 28 shots.
Hynes was glad to see the Thiessen of old return to form.
“This weekend, when we had breakdowns he came up big for us,” Hynes said. “That’s what we ask of our goalies.”
Thiessen was happy to oblige, but quick to redirect any praise to his teammates. Friday’s shutout – Thiessen’s first of the season — was a result of the Penguins’ defense, he said.
“It’s not just a stat for me, it’s a team thing and we all take pride in our goals against and keeping shots and chances down,” Thiessen said. “Going into last weekend knowing the type of teams we were playing on the road, it was a big challenge for us. Everyone stepped up.”
And if he is asked to play on back-to-back nights again, Thiessen said it won’t be a problem.
“It was nice to be able to play Friday and get right back in the groove again on Saturday,” he said. “If I’m asked to go back-to-back, it’s not really a big deal. I know I can do it.”
NOTES
• Winger Devin DiDiomete, who led the AHL in fighting majors last season, was released. The Penguins signed DiDiomete to a PTO during training camp. In two games with the Penguins, DiDiomete had no points, was a plus-1 and had two penalty minutes. Hynes said DiDiomete can report to Wheeling and he is weighing his options.
• D Alexandre Picard left Monday’s practice early. Hynes said he was sore.
• After practice the team departed for an overnight trip to Skytop Lodge in the Poconos. They will resume practice today.