Yahoo Sports Behind Filip Gustavsson's Goalie Goal
Not only has Filip Gustavsson been playing great in net for Minnesota but he is also adding his name to the scoresheet.
On Tuesday night Gustavsson became the first goalie in Minnesota Wild franchise history to score a goalie goal. His came on the power-play in a 3-1 game against St. Louis.
FILIP GUSTAVSSON GOALIE GOAL pic.twitter.com/RDakJY7YrZ
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Gustavsson, 26, said during a timeout by the Blues that Marc-Andre Fleury told him to try for the empty net if the Wild were still up two goals. Most NHL coaches don't want the goalie to shoot for the empty net if it is a one goal game.
If he misses it would be an icing and a chance for the opposing team to score after a face-off in the Wild's d-zone. So because the Wild were up two goals, Gustavsson went for it.
“Flower looked up to the board and was like, ‘We’re up two goals. You should probably try it if you get the chance. You’re shooting, right?’” Gustavsson said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, maybe I should.’”
According to ESPN Stats, Gustavsson's goal was the third power-play goal by a goalie in NHL history. Evgeni Nabokov did it in 2002 and Martin Brodeur did it in 2013.
“It just laid perfect there on the ice," Gustavsson said on scoring. "And I just try and shoot it as hard as I could.”
Not only is Gustavsson scoring goals now, but he looks to be back to himself. The goalie we saw two years ago sneak into Vezina Trophy discussions because of his stellar play.
The Wild goaltender is 2-0-1 this season with a .948 save percentage and has a 1.66 goals-against average. He went 20-18-4 with a 3.06 GAA and .899 save percentage last season.
Safe to say Gustavsson is off to a much better start.
“I don’t think I do anything special out there,” Gustavsson said. “I don’t do anything flashy. Obviously, I make some bigger saves, but that’s usually when you’re out of position. I just try to be in the right position most of the time and make boring saves.”
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