As hockey fans, we seem to be living in an era when most everyone is hyper-critical of goalies.
I’m no exception. I’ve spent my fair share of time raking Penguins goalies like Tristan Jarry, Matt Murray and even Marc-André Fleury over the coals. All the while giving precious little thought into the toll the position must take on one’s psyche.
In any other sport, if you do your job nine times out of 10 you’re a rousing success.
Collect nine hits in 10 at-bats in baseball? They’re fashioning your bust for entry into the Hall of Fame. Hit nine of 10 from the floor in hoops?
Same thing.
Heck, score goals on nine of 10 shots in hockey? Step aside, Mario and Wayne.
Yet with goalies it’s an entirely different story.
It wasn’t always the case. Back in the heyday of super-scorers like Lemieux and Gretzky, Tom Barrasso won the Vezina Trophy with an .893 save percentage. He entered the Hall of Fame with a career save percentage of .892.
Grant Fuhr did likewise with a career save percentage of .887.
