Now that everyone with a YouTube account and a soapbox has pontificated on the
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incident from Monday, attention can (hopefully) swing to topic of another netminder, this time one who made his mark in Florida only to leave for potentially greener pastures – i.e.: more playing time. And he certainly got that wish fulfilled with the Avalanche.Craig Anderson, who astounded as a highly reliable backup for the better part of three seasons in Sunrise, returns to the BankAtlantic Center with a Colorado club that’s ridden a rollercoaster of sorts since absolutely tearing up the Western Conference in October.
Affectionately known as “Andy”, the 28 year-old from Park Ridge, Illinois makes his South Florida debut as an opponent tonight after having shutout Tampa Bay on Monday. He’s 2-3 his past five, and 14-7-5 this season, with three shutouts.
For whatever it’s worth, his record with the Cats last year reads as such: 15-7-5 (3 SO). Spooky.
Having exited the Panthers organization to become a starter, Anderson faces off against his replacement, Scott Clemmensen, whose first months with his new club were in stark contrast to the Avs’ number 41. A 3-3-0 record, while not terribly unacceptable for a backup, is marred by an .888 save percentage along with the little matter of a public critique of his defensive corps. But all that’s been cleared up, right Scotty?
Rochester’s Alexander Salak, burning up the AHL with yet another victory last night in Winnipeg, can be reasonably expected to open the bench door for the Cats this evening. If he can get here in time.