Photo credit: Bakersfield Condors
Following a January where he lost just one game, Condors’ goalie Connor Ungar set a team record in last night’s win.
Possible goalie of the future dominating AHL
Last night against the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks, Connor Ungar stopped a record-setting 51 shots on goal for the Condors, who won the game 3-2.
Many of the saves, in fact, were of the spectacular variety, as the following video shows. With saves like that, it’s no wonder he’s caught his GM’s attention.
He had a near-perfect month of January, where the 24-year old went 6-1-0, a 1.49 GAA, and .956 SV%.
His current record is 7-1-4, a 1.74 GAA, and .949 SV%.
His heroics in goal have become so consistent, that reports about him are beginning to sound commonplace. But make no mistake, there is nothing common about Ungar’s abilities in goal. He’s been recording these kinds of stats over his entire career.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a typical day in Oilers Nation if there wasn’t a goalie controversy.
With Ungar’s play since being called-up to the AHL – following Ingram’s call-up to the Oilers – he’s backed GM Bowman into a corner about how he should proceed with his three NHL goalies.
Namely, should Ungar get the call-up and Pickard placed on waivers?
There are a number of reasons why this makes sense.
Ungar is proving to be the better goaltender, with a bigger upside, while waiving Pickard would free a roster spot and much-need cap space.
At the end of the day, these are good problems to have. Connor Ungar deserves all the praise he’s getting. He’s certainly earned it.
Previously on Edmonton Hockey Daily
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