Ice cheX
10-21-2007, 12:31 PM
Former Checker LaBarbera Gets Chance To Be Kings Top Goaltender (http://echl.com/cgi-bin/mpublic.cgi?action=show_news&cat=1&id=12404)
http://echl.com/upload_images/JasonLaBarberaLAMug.jpg
October 21, 2007
By Cliff Mehrtens
Staff Writer
© The Charlotte Observer (http://echl.com/cgi-bin/%E2%80%9Chttp://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/sports/%E2%80%9D)
Jason LaBarbera knows the Los Angeles's No. 1 goaltender job is up for grabs. He made a strong case to hold onto it Friday night.
LaBarbera, who won 27 times for the ECHL's Charlotte Checkers during the 1999-2000 and 2001-02 seasons, made 26 saves, including stopping a two-on-none break early in the second period that sparked a three-goal outburst during the Kings' 4-2 victory against Vancouver.
"I know it's there," LaBarbera said of the starting job. "I know it's an opportunity for me. I struggled a bit early but hopefully I can just build off this and take it from here because I know I'm capable of doing it."
After using eight goaltenders since the start of last season, the Kings would love to see LaBarbera take control of the crease. He started early against the Canucks, making nine saves while stopping all four power plays during the first period, then robbing Alexandre Burrows on the two-man break 1 minute, 24 seconds into the second.
Los Angeles then broke out, scoring three times in just over seven minutes.
"It's huge for everyone in this room, not only myself but every guy in the room," said LaBarbera, who replaced Jean-Sebastien Aubin, who played for the Dayton Bombers as a rookie in 1997-98, for the final period of a 4-3 loss Thursday in Calgary, Alberta. "We played well the last three games and played well (Thursday) night and just didn't get the result. It's nice to be able to come in here and get the win."
LaBarbera, a Vancouver native, was stuck in the American Hockey League while the Kings went through five goalies last season. But they couldn't recall him despite his being en route to AHL Goalie of the Year honors because of fears they would lose him on recallable waivers.
This year was supposed to be LaBarbera's big chance, but he watched as prize rookie Jonathan Bernier started four of the first six games before being sent back to junior hockey. LaBarbera watched Aubin start the next two before making his third start Friday, winning his first NHL game since April 2006 to give the Los Angeles its first road win in four tries.
LaBarbera preserved the win by stopping Brendan Morrison alone in tight with 1:02 left.
"All his saves were huge," teammate Mike Cammalleri said. "It's been well documented we've had our troubles starting from the back end the last few years. But like a lot of the guys that have played with Barbs before, I'm not shocked. This guy can play."
http://echl.com/upload_images/JasonLaBarberaLAMug.jpg
October 21, 2007
By Cliff Mehrtens
Staff Writer
© The Charlotte Observer (http://echl.com/cgi-bin/%E2%80%9Chttp://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/sports/%E2%80%9D)
Jason LaBarbera knows the Los Angeles's No. 1 goaltender job is up for grabs. He made a strong case to hold onto it Friday night.
LaBarbera, who won 27 times for the ECHL's Charlotte Checkers during the 1999-2000 and 2001-02 seasons, made 26 saves, including stopping a two-on-none break early in the second period that sparked a three-goal outburst during the Kings' 4-2 victory against Vancouver.
"I know it's there," LaBarbera said of the starting job. "I know it's an opportunity for me. I struggled a bit early but hopefully I can just build off this and take it from here because I know I'm capable of doing it."
After using eight goaltenders since the start of last season, the Kings would love to see LaBarbera take control of the crease. He started early against the Canucks, making nine saves while stopping all four power plays during the first period, then robbing Alexandre Burrows on the two-man break 1 minute, 24 seconds into the second.
Los Angeles then broke out, scoring three times in just over seven minutes.
"It's huge for everyone in this room, not only myself but every guy in the room," said LaBarbera, who replaced Jean-Sebastien Aubin, who played for the Dayton Bombers as a rookie in 1997-98, for the final period of a 4-3 loss Thursday in Calgary, Alberta. "We played well the last three games and played well (Thursday) night and just didn't get the result. It's nice to be able to come in here and get the win."
LaBarbera, a Vancouver native, was stuck in the American Hockey League while the Kings went through five goalies last season. But they couldn't recall him despite his being en route to AHL Goalie of the Year honors because of fears they would lose him on recallable waivers.
This year was supposed to be LaBarbera's big chance, but he watched as prize rookie Jonathan Bernier started four of the first six games before being sent back to junior hockey. LaBarbera watched Aubin start the next two before making his third start Friday, winning his first NHL game since April 2006 to give the Los Angeles its first road win in four tries.
LaBarbera preserved the win by stopping Brendan Morrison alone in tight with 1:02 left.
"All his saves were huge," teammate Mike Cammalleri said. "It's been well documented we've had our troubles starting from the back end the last few years. But like a lot of the guys that have played with Barbs before, I'm not shocked. This guy can play."