Varlamov Figures Out Avery — Wins Nobel Peace Price

Sean Avery strikes a familiar pose in front of an opposing goalie.

After much bitching and moaning on my part about the goalie-rousing antics of Sean Avery, a young Russian who speaks almost no English has turned the tables on the pestilent Ranger.  Turns out speaking very little English is one of the keys to combating Avery’s antics in front of the net.  That, along with a quick little chop to Avery’s nether region, got under Avery’s skin (along with his protective cup) and resulted in Avery getting kicked out of the game!

This YouTube video is the best way to watch Simeon Varlamov’s response.  Color commentator Ray Ferraro is none too impressed with Avery’s punch to the goalie’s head but fails to mention anything about Varlamov’s upper cut with his stick.  Watch for it at the 39 second mark.

Asked afterward what Avery was saying in his verbal attack, the Russian goalie pleaded ignorance saying you’d have to ask his defenseman because he didn’t understand Avery’s English.

So goalies take note, the best way to deal with Avery or someone like him (if there is anyone like him) is to forget your English, turn the other cheek and have a quick wrist on your stickhand.

Sean Avery At It Again

Sean Avery was up to his old tricks tonight in Washington, pestering Jose Theodore on a number of occasions.  I see Alexander Ovechkin jumping on the glass and his teammates to celebrate goals… why doesn’t he jump on Avery?

Avery is at it again. Goalies of the world unite in ending his reign of stupidity.

If all the goalies of the world chipped in $1 I’m sure we could hire Tonya Harding to take a crowbar to his knees.  Tonya gets out of debt and no longer needs to step in the ring to make money and goalies everywhere never have to see Avery again.

2008 Has Been Year of the “Backup”

Marc-Andre Fleury returned to the Pittsburgh net tonight for the first time since injuring his groin a month ago, just one of many highly-paid #1 goalies who have missed significant playing time this season therefore thrusting his respective backup into a starting (and sometimes “starring”) role.  What’s significant about that?  Well for starters, never before has there been such a huge disparity between the salaries of A-level goalies vs. everyone else.   Until this past week Danny Saborin has kept the Penguins in each of their games compiling a 6-6-1 record with a .911 SV%.  Are those the numbers of a number one?  Not really, but the Pens have remained within striking distance of the Rangers and Flyers which is exactly what teams should expect from backups, i.e. give them a chance to win when the number one is out.  For 1/10th the cost ($512k vs. $5M for Fleury) Saborin did his job.  Here’s a look at some of the other backups finding themselves with a chance to play in the limelight this seaon.

Tim Thomas shooting for the number one position.