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Goalkeeper of the National Hockey League (NHL) team Columbus “Blue Jackets” represented by Latvian hockey players Elvis Merzlikkin and Matiss Kivleniek Jonass Korpisalo recognized as one of the five discoveries of this year’s Stanley Cup in the Canadian media’s “The Score”.
The media has highlighted the puck catcher’s performance in the first round of the Stanley Cup against Lightning. Korpisalo repelled 85 shots and made his name in NHL history, becoming the most goal-scoring goal in a single match, but failed to save the team from losing in the fifth extra time with a 2: 3.
“After Corpisalo repelled 95.6% of opponents in the ‘Playle in’ round against Toronto’s Maple Leafs, his performance in the first round of the playoffs was no longer shocking,” said The Score journalist Sean O’Leire. “However, the 85 rebounds against Tampa Bay’s Lightning in the first game of the series are one of the most shocking performances in NHL history.”
According to the Natural Stat Trick, Lightning had created enough goal-scoring moment to score 7.03 puck at the Columbus goal, but as a result, the Finnish goalkeeper capitulated only three times. This means that Korpisalo repelled even those throws that would in most cases have to reach the net.
“The match ended in a loss, but Korpisalo showed the most impressive playoff play so far and his best career game. In the future and forever, it will be difficult to find a goalkeeper who will repel 85 shots in one match. Korpisalo’s achievement will be unbeatable for a long time to come, “the media said.
In the regular season, Korpisalo went on the field in 37 games, repelling 91.1% of throws and averaging 2.60 puck. In nine playoff tournaments, the bag had 94.1% rebounds and 1.90 goals conceded.
Latvian goalkeeper Merzlikins, on the other hand, participated in 33 NHL regular championship matches this season, defeated 92.3% of throws and conceded an average of 2.35 puck, while in five games his goal remained intact. In two “play-in” fights he was 94.6% seivu and an average of 1.96 inches. Due to an injury, the Latvian closed the championship prematurely and he did not appear in the quarterfinals of the Eastern Conference.
Also among the season’s discoveries, the media has ranked Chicago “Blackhawks” striker Dominik Kubalik, Vancouver “Canucks” goalkeeper Thatcher Demo and Dallas “Stars” Joel Kiviranta.
The Blue Jackets dramatically reached the Stanley Cup this season, beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in the qualifying round, but withdrew in the first round as Tampa’s Lightning gave up 1-4.
Both Korpisalo and Merzlikin have two more seasons with Blue Jackets.
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