A Tale of Two Goalies

Timothy James Thomas Jr. And Roberto Luongo. Even the way their names sound suggests a difference in background, a difference in character. These two goalies have taken very different paths to be in the Stanley Cup Finals, with different results. And I think their different backgrounds can help explain why one is doing so well, and the other isn't.

Thomas was born in Davison, Michigan. Luongo in Montreal, Quebec. Davison is a suburb of Flint. Montreal is Montreal.

Luongo was a highly touted goalie as a youth, drafted 2nd overall into Quebec Juniors by the Val-d'Or Foreurs as a 16 year old. He won the Mike Bossey Award which is given to the best pro prospect in the QMJHL. When he was 18, the Islanders drafted him 4th overall amid comparisons to Ken Dryden. Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Olli Jokinen were the players taken before him. At the time, Luongo was the highest drafted goalie in NHL history.

Thomas, like most American players, played for his school. As a high school freshman, he started off as a forward and defenseman, before eventually replacing the senior goalie who had told his coach "This kid's better than me." Thomas was respected in Michigan high school hockey, partially due to a 62 save, 6OT 3-2 playoff win. But the publicity, attention, and glory was nothing like the aura surrounding Luongo. Thomas was awarded a hockey scholarship at Vermont, becoming the first member of his family to attend college, and earning a chance to avoid working (or trying to work) in the collapsing auto industry in Flint.

Vermont was a mediocre program when Thomas arrived. They finished 7th in the ECAC the year before he got there. Hardly the center of the college hockey universe.

Luongo remained in Juniors, setting records, not being able to come to terms with the Islanders on a contract, winning two QMJHL Championships. He also started for Canada in the 1999 World Junior Championship, going 4-2-1 with a 1.93 GAA, and helping Canada win Gold.

Thomas started as a freshman for the Vermont Catamounts. He was good enough to impress the Quebec Nordiques, who drafted him 217th overall. Thomas improved each season at Vermont and so did the Catamounts. Having a teammate like Martin St. Louis helped. Thomas led the Catamounts to the NCAA tournament as a junior, and took them to their first Frozen Four as a senior. He was All-ECAC twice, and an NCAA East All American twice. After he graduated, he entered the pro ranks.

Luongo started his pro career in Lowell, MA, playing for the Lock Monsters, the Islanders' AHL affiliate. He was almost instantly called up to the Islanders, making his NHL debut as a 20 year old, beating the Bruins in a 2-1 game. He quickly surpassed Felix Potvin as the starting goalie, and the Islanders soon traded Potvin to the Canucks.

Thomas' path to the NHL was much less direct. His first year in the professional ranks started in the ECHL, playing 6 games for the Birmingham Bulls. Then he played 1 game for the Houston Aeros of the now defunct IHL. Then 18 games for HIFK Helsinki of the SM-liiga. So from Vermont to Alabama to Texas to Finland, all in one year.

Thomas helped HIFK win the Finnish Championship (the Kanada-malja trophy), then signed with the Edmonton Oilers in the off-season, once again attempting a traditional route to the NHL by playing for the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL. It didn't go too well so Thomas was once again transferred to HIFK.

In the 1999-2000 season, Thomas finally got to play for just one team in a season: the Detroit Vipers of the IHL. His 3.56 GAA and .892 SV% didn't impress. The 26 year old Thomas started the next year in Europe, with AIK, in Stockholm, Sweden. And it was seeming like his career was going to be spent as a journeyman. AIK was his 6th team, in the 5th different league, in the 4th different country, in 4 years since he graduated Vermont.

Islanders' head coach Mike Milbury didn't like Luongo. After his rookie season, the Islanders drafted Rick DiPietro 1st overall, and haven't looked back since. They traded Luongo to the Florida Panthers. Playing half of Florida's games, Luongo set a franchise record with 5 shutouts. His 2.44 GAA and .920 SV% were more than respectable for a 22 year old.

As the Panthers struggled, Luongo improved. He was nominated for a Vezina in 2004, leading the NHL in save percentage and recording 7 shutouts. A year after the lockout, Luongo was a soon-to-be free agent. He'd proven himself as one of the better goalies in the league, winning 35 games in his final year with the subpar Panthers. There were rumors that apart from a significant amount of money (which he deserved) he demanded that the Panthers retain goalie Jamie McLennan as the backup, and hire a new goalie coach.

With his contract looming, the Panthers traded Luongo to Vancouver, in exchange for Todd Bertuzzi, Alex Auld, and Bryan Allen.

The Bruins decided to sign Tim Thomas as a free agent, but also allowed him to remain in Europe. He joined the Finnish team Kärpät. A year later, he found himself in Providence of the AHL. Even though he still had John Grahame, Andrew Raycroft, and Steve Shields ahead of him on the Bruins' depth chart, Thomas made his NHL debut on October 19, 2002. He was 28 years old. 8 years older than when Luongo made his debut.

Luongo was welcomed to Vancouver as a conquering hero. A hockey-mad city finally had a legitimate goalie. The Canucks' own GM had once described the team as a "goalie graveyard." Luongo didn't let them down. In his first season as a Canuck, he tallied 47 wins, a 2.29 GAA, and a .921 SV%. He was nominated for the Vezina and Hart trophies, but lost out to Martin Brodeur and Sidney Crosby, respectively.

Thomas, like most players, spent the lockout playing in Europe. But this was familiar territory for the American goalie. He joined Jokerit in Finland, registering a 1.58 GAA in 54 games with a .946 SV%. He won awards for the best player in the league.

In 2005, it seemed as though Thomas was going to settle down as a European hockey player. He signed a deal with Jokerit, that included an NHL option. He was now a European player with the potential to transfer to North America, not the other way around.

The day before the Finnish season began, the Bruins signed Thomas. He was sent to Providence, but eventually found his way to Boston when Andrew Raycroft and Hannu Toivonen both got hurt. He played 38 games, and after the Bruins traded Raycroft to Toronto, they needed Thomas as a back-up and signed him to a 3 year deal.

While Luongo was having regular season success in Vancouver, the Canucks were struggling to get to that next level. They were consistently surpassing 100 points, yet were annually getting knocked out of the playoffs in the Conference Semis. Luongo was getting most of the blame.

He was great in the '07 playoffs, but allowed a series-ending OT goal when he literally looked at a ref for a penalty instead of watching the puck. In the '09 playoffs, he allowed 7 goals in a series-deciding Game 6 loss to Chicago. The Canucks then signed him to a 12 year, $64 million contract.

Tim Thomas finally became a true NHL goalie when the Bruins signed him to a 3 year deal. Although there always seemed to be someone in his way, preventing him from starting. Hannu Toivonen had the job in 2006, and Thomas wound up starting anyway. In 2007, the B's signed Manny Fernandez, and Thomas was once again relegated to the backup role. Fernandez got hurt, Thomas stepped up, and even made the All-Star Game. In 2008, Thomas was the clear-cut, 1A starter, with Fernandez in a 1B role. Thomas won the Vezina. In 2009, Thomas was again the starter, but he was sluggish on the ice. 22 year old Tuukka Rask won the starting job, along with the affections of countless Boston fans, spawning phrases such as "Tuukka Time."

Luongo replaced Martin Brodeur as Team Canada's goalie in the middle of the 2010 Olympics. He won four straight elimination games, and the Canadians won their first Gold since 2002. But he struggled in the NHL playoffs, posting a 3.22 GAA and .895 SV%. He also stepped down as the Canucks' Captain, yielding the position to Henrik Sedin.

Before the 2010-11 season, the Bruins tried trading Thomas. But teams found his long-term contract to be a bit too hefty to swallow. The Bruins kept Thomas, starting the season with Rask in net. Rask's 1.97 GAA the year before had earned him the spot. And once again, Thomas entered a year as a backup.

But Rask lost 7 of his first 8 starts. Thomas won his first 7 straight. By December, he was the starter, Rask was the back-up. By January, Thomas was an All-Star. By March, he was a Vezina nominee. By June, he was a Conn Smythe contender.

Luongo's career also seemed to be rejuvenated. A new goalie coach in Vancouver produced a more conservative approach from Luongo. He set a career low with a 2.11 GAA, and his 2nd best SV% ever at .928. He struggled in the opening round of the playoffs, but wound up a Game 7 hero against Chicago.

These goalies have now met in the Finals, and after 4 games, one has allowed 5 goals against the best offensive team in the NHL, the other has surrendered 14. That's more goals than Luongo allowed in the previous two series. Tim Thomas has been the Bruins' answer, while nothing but question marks surround Luongo.

When Tim Thomas struggles, he summons an excellent game the next time out. He thrives in adversity. You can see it when he willingly enters the fray in front of the net. But Luongo often finds himself in quicksand. He makes his struggles worse. He presses, he pushes. He tries too hard to win the game on his own. We saw him push too hard in Game 4, abandoning the conservative approach that made him a Vezina nominee. And nobody in Vancouver knows exactly what version of Luongo will play in Game 5, if he plays in Game 5.

And maybe the reason Thomas handles adversity, handles tough losses like Games 1 and 2, is because he's accustomed to the struggle. He's battled and earned every second of ice time he's ever played, from a high school freshman to Finland to Sweden to the Bruins. Luongo, on the other hand, has always been the star. Since he was a 16 year old drafted into the QMJHL, since he was selected by the Islanders, then eventually traded to Vancouver. He started as the top dog at every level of play. He didn't have to climb the mountain, he was born at the top. He's been able to rely on just his talent, and perhaps that's why his character has never fully developed.

Maybe I'm psychoanalyzing too much here, but these two goalies are completely different types of people. And that matters, especially in such a unique position as goaltending, it's not just about strength, speed, vision, or flexibility. The so-called intangibles have a huge impact on how well a goalie performs. And in that category, Tim Thomas is much more qualified. And it's because he's had to build character to get to where he's gotten.

Sources:
Canada.com
ECAC Hockey
MLive.com

-The Commodore

Rangers 4, Bruins 3

What once was a terrific tandem of tenders has turned into a Jekyl and Hyde in between the Bruins' pipes. When Tim Thomas is in net, the Bruins are practically guaranteed an excellent fundamental goaltender, one who makes next to no mistakes, and is capable of amazing athletic saves. When Manny Fernandez is in, the Bruins are guaranteed a pointless night unless they score 5 or 6 goals.

The Bruins lost to the Rangers, in yet another unfortunate display of hockey. To be fair to Fernandez, it wasn't entirely his fault. Just mostly his fault. Byron Bitz was primarily responsible for the first of 4 Ranger goals. He found himself out of position after a faceoff in the defensive zone, allowing Nik Antropov space. Enough space to score a goal.

But Fernandez was responsible for New York goals #2 and 3. The Rangers took advantage of a dreadfully bad hooking call on Marc Savard. They also took advantage of Fernandez's inability to cover the inside of his post. That's Goaltending 101 stuff.



And the 3rd goal was pure blooper reel material. Fernandez gets the puck caught up in his skates, doesn't know it, twirls in the crease, the centrifugal force of the twirl spins the puck into the net.

The Bruins came back, which was nice to see. They seemed to be playing with some confidence and purpose, something that's been lacking as of late. But a big bounce of the endboards served as a perfect set-up pass for Nikolai Zherdev.

It's too bad. Had the Bruins left New York with a point, they could start rebuilding what was their biggest strength: their poised confidence. Instead, for most of them, it might seem like another wasted effort.

Oh, and what the fuck was with the NBC announcers talking about Sean Avery every 5 minutes? The guy's a 2nd or 3rd line forward AT BEST, and he's a cunt. When the word "cunt" was invented, the guy who came up with it had people like Sean Avery in mind.

The Bruins host the Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday, another decent team fighting i na tight playoff battle. The B's still have an 8 point lead on New Jersey, but the Devils have 2 extra games in hand.

-The Commodore

Lightning 4 Bruins 3

The slide continued yesterday for the Bruins, as they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3. The sad thing is the Bruins out played Tampa in this game. Boston had 43 shots on goal, but were only able to score 3 times, while Tampa had 18 shots, but got 4 past Manny Fernandez. Right now, the Bruins need someone to step up and be able to finish a play. Kessel is just getting stuffed, though it looks like he is getting his chances. Fans will continue clamoring for a trade, but I am not so sure if that is the answer, because it's not like the Bruins aren't getting their chances, and I think they just might be a bit unlucky.

Boston's goals came from Chara, Ference, and Kessel. The game was tied till Vaclav Prospal beat Manny Fernandez on a power play with 1:33 left to lift the Lightning past Bruins. Tampa had to be pumped since they have had a terrible year, and now have beat the #1 team in the East. Boston needs to find a way to convert on all their shots. Last game the Bruins had 41 shots, and didn't score at all. That means that have had 84 shots in the last 2 games with only 3 goals to show for it. Manny had a bad game, but with all those chances the Bruins should have been able to still win.

Bruins 2 Predators 3 (SO)

Really tough game for the Bruins last night as they lost in a shootout 3-2. To be honest I really didn't get what the Bruins were doing in their shootout. They sent up Blake Wheeler (who scored), then Bergeron, and P.J. Axelsson. I am sorry, but when you have guys like Savard and Kessel on the bench and an opportunity to win the game, you put the puck in their hands. Kessel finally got his shot, after P.J. ruined the chance to end the game. Kessel missed, and the Predators burned Manny Fernandez to get the win.

Boston really struggled for most of the game. They finally came alive in the 3rd period when they tied the game at 2 when Zdeno Chara's goal with 1:16 left in regulation. Boston needs to wake up their goal scorers, because if they can't soon they they are going to have to make a trade to get some kind of goal scorer in here. This was Boston's 4th straight loss (even though they still get a point for this), and they just don't seem to have that swagger that they had a month ago. You have to wonder if all the injuries suring the season have finally worn down the Bruins...

Manny Fernandez Getting Better

"Manny Fernandez, out of action with a bad back since Jan. 8, made it through a 45-minute session without any setbacks this morning at Ristuccia Arena (Boston Globe)."

Good news for the Bruins. Tuukka Rask is going to be a great goalie, but we can wait till next year to see his skills on display. This year is all about Thomas and Fernandez. Manny's back and knee have been problems for him over the past couple of years. To be honest there is little difference between Thomas and Fernandez, but the one thing that does stand out is that Thomas has the ability to stay healthy. The Bruins are still not sure if Manny will be ready to travel with the team this week, if he doesn't we could be seeing more of up and comer Tuukka Rask.

Bruins Injury Updates

- Aaron Ward will be out for about a week, as the Bruins injured players list continues to grow. Matt Lashoff will take his place.

- Patrice Bergeron skated for the 4th straight day today, as he battles back from his concussion. No word on a timetable for his return, but at least he is skating.

- Andrew Ference skated with Bergeron and seems to be nearing a return. I would expect him to be back at some point during the next 2 weeks.

- Milan Lucic practiced today, but was not able to do contact drill. The good news is that he is traveling with the team, and may be able to play the game after next against Washington.

- Manny Fernandez will be available tomorrow after taking a couple days off to let his back recover from spasms. He had a full day of practice and is good to go.

-BMack

Bruins 6 Senators 4

The Bruins got back to their winning ways, but it was not easy against a Senators team that has been slumping most of the year. The game was tied 3-3 going into the 3rd period, before David Krejci and Marc Savard scored 4:16 apart from each other in the 3rd to cement the victory. The win gives Boston it's 30th of the year, while Ottawa has lost 7 of it's last 8 and really looks like they may miss the playoffs.

I was expecting a better game from Boston's defense and goaltending, as Ottawa is on the bottom of the NHL in goal scored, but Manny Fernandez struggled for the first time in a while letting up 4 goals on 30 shots. It wasn't all his fault as the Boston defense didn't seem to be a strong as it usually is, and they were letting too many people crash the net without a fight. That is something Julien will not stand for, and I expect that to be fixed by next game. The only other thing that makes me a little nervous is once again Kessel was not on the stat sheet, and I really think that if the Bruins are going to continue to be one of the top teams in the NHL, that he is going to need to be productive.

Anyways, Bruins are back on their winning ways and will look to continue their dominance Saturday at 1pm at home against Carolina.

-BMack

Bruins 4 Hurricanes 2

What should've been a day of rejoice, turned into one of great fear, as Patrice Bergeron, who missed most of last season with a concussion, left the game after a scary collision in the 2nd period with the Hurricanes' Dennis Seidenberg. Bergeron was helped from the ice with what appeared to be a head injury. There is not word whether or not he has another concussion, but from what I saw he looked groggy. It was ood since the hit didn't look too bad, but once you have a concussion, you are more likely to get another. It really just sucks, with how well this team has been playing.

Anyways, at least the game went well as the Bruins cruised to their 13th straight home win. Manny Fernandez, who is playing up to what DP preaches, made 32 saves and improved to 10-1-1 in his past 12 starts. Kessel improved his point streak to 17 games, which tied him for 5th longest in franchise history, along with Ray Bourque. He only needs to extend his streak 3 more games to tie Adam Oates for the longest steak in Bruins history.

The game was tied 1-1 till the 3rd, when the Bruins went off scoring 3 goals. The strength of this team is their depth, which will be tested once again with Bergeron looking like he will be on th shelf for awhile, and Sturm who is now out at least 30 days. The good news is the Bruins have such a good record, that even if these injuries affect them, if they can get healthy in a month or so, they will be fine.

-BMack

Bruins 8 Maple Leafs 5

I knew the Bruins would score a lot of goals, but I don't think I was thinking 8. I certainly didn't think they would let up 5 goals either. Tim Thomas let up 5 goals through 2 periods, in by far his worst game of the season. The great thing about the Bruins, is that they can put a guy in like Manny Fernandez who is also near the top of the NHL in GAA. Fernandez was able to shut Toronto down in the 3rd, while Boston's scoring went crazy.

The Bruins almost blew a 4 goal lead, but the Bruins were able to rally around Fernandez to stop the bleeding. Krejci had a hat trick (first of his young career), and Kessel had 2 goals to extend his point streak to an amazing 16 games (longest in the NHL). The Bruins will need to play a lot better defensively if they want to do some serious damage the rest of the year. I don't think that will be a problem, as the Bruins are usually a very strong defensive team. I think the just had an off night.

Bruins game is on Saturday 1pm at home vs. Carolina

Bruins 4 Panthers 0

Manny Fernandez was outstanding last night stopping all 27 shots he faced, as the Bruins rolled to a 4-0 victory over the Panthers. The win ended the Panthers 3 game winning streak, while the Bruins have now won 4 in a row. Phil Kessel has some streaks of his own going, he scored in five straight games and has six goals in those games (1 goal against the Panthers). He also owns the NHL's longest current point streak (11 games).

The Bruins easily dominated this game, even with all the injuries. It was good to see Wideman, who missed last game, back on the ice. The name that people need to start remembering is David Krejci. If you don't watch the Bruins, you probably have no idea who this kid is, but he has been a big reason for a lot of the Bruins' success. He has 23 points already this season, and had 3 assists last night.

The Bruins next game in Monday vs Tampa Bay in Boston. Looks like another easy win for the Bruins.

-BMack

Is Manny Fernandez a Highlander?

Why is Manny Fernandez such a good goalie? It's because he's immortal and he feeds off the power of other Highlanders he kills. That's why.

I have proof that Manny Fernandez is immortal. Just look at his name. The current Manny Fernandez was "born" in 1974 in Ontario as Emmanuel Fernandez. But this is all just a cover story. There have been Manny Fernandezes for hundreds of years, and it's all him pretending to be a new person to prevent suspicion.

Before hockey, Manny Fernandez was a professional wrestler. He was known as The Raging Bull, was 90 pounds heavier, and wore a mustache as a disguise. He wrestled back before the explosion of WWF when there were dozens of organizations across the country. But wrestlers like him helped put the "sport" on the map.

Here he is trying to cut off the head of another wrestler with his knees, but they aren't sharp enough to do the job. But look at all the blood, he was close. And remember, Highlanders get more power when they cut off people's heads.



Before wrestling, Manny Fernandez, under the pseudonym Manuel Jose Fernandez, was a football player. He played nose tackle for the Dolphins back in the 70s. He won a pair of Super Bowls with Miami, and was a member of that 1972 team. Now doesn't he look eerily similar to the Manny Fernandez in the wrestling clip?



Why does he look the same? Because he's the same guy! He lost a few pounds to wrestle, then lose some more to play hockey. He trimmed the mustache then got rid of it completely for the NHL (a mustache in a goalie's mask would get very irritating).

Before getting into sports, Manny Fernandez was a military man. Going under the name Manuel J. Fernandez, he was a fighter pilot in the Korean War. He was credited with 14.5 kills, making him the 3rd leading Ace amongst American pilots. He also served as an instructor during WWII, and as a fighter escort during the Berlin Airlift. Notice how he's just starting to grow the mustache?



Before fighting for the US in Korea, he fought against the US in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. Then he was known as General Manuel Fernandez Silvestre. After withdrawing from Cuba with the rest of the Spaniards, he fought in Morocco. After the Disaster of Annual, it's believed he shot himself in the head. HOWEVER, nobody ever found his body, or saw him die. How come? Because he didn't die, he just changed his identity and shaved that ridiculous mustache.



Before fighting for the Spanish, he fought against the Spanish. Manny Fernandez has no loyalties but to himself. Back in the 1810s, he fought in the Mexican War of Independence. He eventually rose to the rank of Major General in Santa Anna's Mexican Army. Then his name was Manuel Fernández Castrillón. He fought the Texans at the Alamo, but to his credit pleaded for several prisoners to be spared. Later, his death was staged as Texas's inevitable victory in the war became apparent.

Manny Fernandez has lead many lives in his never-ending lifetime. He was a soccer player in 1940s Spain with the name Manuel Fernández Fernández, and the nickname Pahiño. As Manuel Fernández Juncos he founded the Puerto Rican Red Cross, and wrote the lyrics to Puerto Rico's national anthem.

It's impossible to really know when Manny Fernandez was born. We know he's at least 230 years old, but he could be 500, 1,000, or 2,000 years old. What matters is that he's immortal (unless he gets his head chopped off) and he's extremely powerful. With him, the Bruins have an excellent chance at winning The Prize, a.k.a. the Stanley Cup.

-The Commodore

Manny being Manny?

I know I don't write about hockey often and that is because I think it sucks, however, there is one man who keeps me on the edge of my seat and that is Manny Fernandez.

Manny Fernandez has been overlooked his whole life and here are a couple of truths about the "New" Manny in Boston:

Manny Fernandez was born without a middle toe on his left foot and and extra toe on his right.

When Manny Fernandez was 12 he was riding the bus to school and the bus driver passed out and he grabbed the wheel and drove everyone to Chuck E Cheese.

Manny Fernandez lost his virginity when he was 9. To three big breasted woman.

Manny Fernandez was the first deep sea lobster diver.

Manny Fernandez got drafted in Hockey, Football, Baseball, Basketball and Curling.

Manny Fernandez won a gold medal in doubles figure skating for Canada.

Manny Fernandez's favorite food is ice.

Bruins Blowout Canadiens 6-1

It doesn't happen often, but the Bruins absolutely dominated the Canadians on the way to a 6-1 victory.

The Bruins have been playing great hockey and are now 10-3-3 on the season. Marco Sturm and Stephane Yelle each scored 2 goals, and the Bruins snapped a 12 game (regular season) losing streak against Montreal. DP's boy, Manny Fernandez, was awesome in net as he made 27 saves and is now 4-0-1 in his past 5 starts. If Manny can be this good for the rest of the season the Bruins could be dominate, as Thomas has been unreal so far. I am really impressed with the way the Bruins are playing, and I can't wait to see how far this team can go this season. People need to sit down and give this team a chance...they are fun to watch.

-BMack