Mike Griffith: No CPA needed to understand Condors' playoff prospects
| Friday, Feb 13 2009 02:38 AM
Last Updated Friday, Mar 27 2009 01:27 PM
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The Condors need improved play from their goaltenders, including Yutaka Fukufuji, if they hope to reach the ECHL playoffs.
It doesn’t take a degree in mathematics to figure out how the Condors can make the playoffs.
Bakersfield trails Phoenix for the final playoff position by three points but the RoadRunners have played five fewer games, which most likely equates to around an eight-point deficit.
But forget that.
The numbers that really count are those concerning goaltending.
The Condors have won three of their last four games basically because goaltender Yutaka Fukufuji has given them a chance to do so.
Of course, scoring four goals in each of those wins was a factor, but four goals would not have been enough in the one loss (5-2 on Tuesday to Utah.)
Condors coach Marty Raymond has said all season that his goaltender needed to be better and it appears that Fukufuji is finally answering the call.
Fukufuji has a combined 2.67 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage in the four recent wins . In the loss, those numbers were 5.00 and .852.
If you get goaltending you can win championships or, in the present case of the Condors, get to the playoffs.
“A good goaltender is like having two 20-game winning pitchers in baseball,” Raymond said. “It’s that important. It’s the most important position in pro sports.”
That’s because, Raymond says, when a goaltender is performing well it generally lifts the play of the entire team.
“Everyone starts believing,” he said. “You gain confidence and believe that you can win the tight games, just like Wednesday.”
On Wednesday the Condors took a 4-3 lead over Utah early in the third period then killed off two late power-plays to come away with the much-needed win.
“I think he’s getting in the groove,” Raymond said of Fukufuji. “I just need to be patient and keep letting him gain confidence.”
As for the playoff possibilities, Raymond said the Condors need to take care of business on their end and not worry too much about Phoenix.
“It’s up to us to keep winning games,” he said. “We’re not going to win every game, but we need to win two out of three or three out of four.”
SLAP SHOTS
• After further review, the ECHL determined that Jay Langager did receive a blow to the back of the head from Idaho’s Dan Welch on Feb. 7. The hit, which drove Langager's head into the glass, left Langager with a concussion but no penalty was called on the play. Welch has been suspended for three games and fined an undisclosed amount by the league. Langager is on the 7-day IR and will not play this weekend for the Condors.
• Elmira Jackals rookie Mitch O'Keefe was named goaltender of the week. He was 2-0 with a goals-against average of 0.96 and a save percentage of .958.
• South Carolina Stingrays rookie Michael Dubuc was named player of the week, notching six goals and three assists.
