I was skimming through my Facebook feed on Saturday, checking out what all my friends who follow hockey had to say about the game and the team in general. One of my friends came across this gem of a comment and shared it with me. He was equally as irate about it as I was. Here's the post, word-for-word:
"Congrats to Voukon for his shut out. You are still not Fleury and don't think for one second you are. You are playing behind a team of ALL STARS. Hell, bring in Ilya Bryzgalov and HE WOULD LOOK LIKE AN ALL STAR. Nonetheless, the boys are looking pretty **** good!"
I've grown accustomed to seeing Fleury-bashing over the years (and even this season...:banghead:), but this was the first I've seen a flat out, ridiculous and senseless tearing down of a player that has been nothing but rock solid since he got here. Keep in mind, this guy is a "diehard Penguins fan", although I seriously question the validity of that.
I don't recall Vokoun saying that he was better than the Flower, or that he should be the #1 'tender based on his performance this season (or his previous experience as a #1 on other teams.) I DO recall him saying, upon signing his name on the dotted line that made him a Penguin, that he was excited be be here, that he knew his role as a back-up goaltender and that he would do everything he could to help this team win. I'm sorry...is that a bad thing?
Yes, the Penguins can be compared to an "all-star" team of sorts. With the recent trades, it certainly looks that way. BUT...it doesn't matter who is on the ice. When Vokoun is in net, his job is to stop pucks. In recent his 2 1/2 games of shutout hockey, he stopped 67 shots. 35 shots against the Islanders alone. Let those numbers sink in for a minute. In my opinion, that's pretty ****ing outstanding for an NHL goalie! He made some spectacular saves, and allowed zero garbage/soft goals. What good is it to have all that talent in front of you if you leak like a sieve? Still gotta stop the shots that are thrown at you, and he's done that. I don't see Crosby making a glove save, Malkin securing a rebound, or Dupuis stuffing the 5-hole. Throwing Bryzgalov's name in there was idiotic. I can't stand Philthadelphia, but they DO have some talent on that team...yet Bryz is a basket case and folds under pressure night in and out. Do you think Philly's fans are saying "man, if we had the talent that the Penguins do on our team, Bryz would have a .980 save percentage and we'd be in first place!"
Wait...they're Philly fans. Maybe they do think that would happen. Sorry for that brain fart, it won't happen again! :geez:
I can rattle off about 12 teams right now that would kill to have Vokoun as a starting goaltender on their team, and he's here as a willing back-up. Not only that, he's flourishing in the role. Aside from the one bad game against Florida where he got shelled, he's been a relative black hole in there. He's also a solid, positive presence in the locker room. I feel just as comfortable when he's between the pipes as when MAF is, and I haven't been able to feel that way about any of our backup net minders for a while now.
Of all the things that he could be concerned about, this is it?!?! Really?? I don't think I will ever understand this guy's opinion on any level, other than "unintelligent." It's ****ing me off thinking about it now, even after taking a few days to process it. Am I wrong to feel this way?
Ok... I took a few deep breaths and a Xanax. Rant over! :yo: