Weiman makes this stop count

Avalanche goalie holds off Red Wings in first NHL game

Rick Sadowski, Rocky Mountain News

Friday, September 22, 2006

DETROIT - Tyler Weiman has no illusions about playing in the NHL this season, knowing the Avalanche is set in goal with Jose Theodore and Peter Budaj.

But there's no reason for Weiman to believe he won't eventually get there.

Weiman, 22, helped the Colorado Eagles to the Central Hockey League championship in 2005 in his first season of professional hockey, leading the league in wins (33), shutouts (eight), goals-against average (1.80) and save percentage (.938).

Gaudy numbers, indeed.

Weiman split time on both coasts a year ago, with the San Diego Gulls in the East Coast Hockey League and the Lowell (Mass.) Lock Monsters in the American Hockey League, combining for a 20-18-4 record and a respectable 2.73 average.

Thursday night, Weiman was given his first taste of NHL action, when he relieved Theodore to begin the third period.

He stopped 13 of 14 shots in 25 minutes, two of three in a shootout, and skated off the Joe Louis Arena ice with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Detroit Red Wings.

"There's a lot of history in this building and this is the first time I even dressed for an NHL game, so it's a good feeling," said Weiman, who was the Avalanche's sixth pick (164th overall) in the 2002 NHL entry draft. "I'm just trying to make the most of my opportunities, do the best I can.

"I understand the situation here. I'm just trying to get a little confidence and a little experience at the same time. It'll help me not only now but down the road. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I have high expectations for myself."

Avalanche coach Joel Quenneville was impressed with Weiman, who probably will play for the Albany (N.Y.) River Rats in the American Hockey League this season.

"I thought he did a great job," Quenneville said. "He really hasn't played at the American League level for a full year, which I think he needs. Looking at the depth of our goaltending situation, it's bright knowing that each and every year he gets a little more responsibility and takes advantage of it.

"He didn't look intimidated at all. That's kind of the way he is. His approach is he has a real nice demeanor for a goaltender. This was another big step forward for him and he seemed to welcome the challenge."

Weiman entered a 1-1 game in the third period and yielded an unlucky goal when Jiri Hudler's shot hit the stick of Avalanche defenseman Kyle Cumiskey and ricocheted into the net at the 3:39 mark.

Brett McLean tied it for the Avalanche at 7:24 when he scooped up a turnover and scored against goalie Joey MacDonald on a breakaway.

When neither team could score in the five-minute overtime, the game went to a shootout.

Hudler scored on the opening shot for the Red Wings, but Weiman stopped Tomas Holmstrom and Robert Lang.

After Wojtek Wolski converted for the Avalanche and Tyler Arnason was turned back, Paul Stastny nudged the puck between MacDonald's pads on his breakaway to produce the victory.

"I just went in there and tried to get some speed and to get the goalie moving," Stastny said. "You can't think too much on those. You just have to go with it, and I was fortunate to put it in."

Stastny had eight shots on goal before the shootout while playing on a line with fellow rookies Wolski and Chris Stewart that created scoring chances all night.

Theodore turned back 16 of 17 shots in two periods of work, allowing a power-play goal by Nicklas Lidstrom at 15:56 of the first period before giving way to Weiman to begin the third period.

Counting the Burgundy and White exhibition, Theodore has stopped 62 of 64 shots in three training camp appearances.

Chris Osgood was equally solid in goal for the Red Wings. The Avalanche's lone goal on 23 shots against him came from Mark Rycroft, who found the top right-hand corner of the net on a power play at 10:09 of the second period.

ETC.: The Avalanche left immediately after the game for Las Vegas, the site of Saturday's game against Los Angeles. Peter Budaj is scheduled to play the entire game in goal . . . Avalanche forward Steve Konowalchuk, 33, still is undergoing more tests to determine why the electrocardiogram he was administered Sept. 14 revealed an abnormality . . . Red Wings forward Greg Johnson, 35, is in the same situation. He also had an abnormal EKG and has visited a heart specialist . . . Both teams played without several regulars. Joe Sakic, Milan Hejduk, Andrew Brunette and John-Michael Liles were among those sitting out for the Avalanche.

Colorado won shootout 2-1

First period - 1, Det, Lidstrom 1 (Hudler, Holmstrom), 15:56 (pp).

Second period - 2, Col, Rycroft 1 (Guite, Wolski), 10:09 (pp).

Third period - 3, Det, Hudler 1 (Kronwall, Lang), 3:39. 4, Col, McLean 1, 7:24.

Overtime - None.

Shootout - Col 2 (Wolski G, Arnason NG, Stastny G); Det 1 (Hudler G, Holmstrom NG, Lang NG).

Shots - Col 10-13-8-7 - 38. Det 11-6-13-1 - 31. Goalies - Col, Theodore, Weiman. Det, Osgood, MacDonald. A - 20,066.

sadowskir@RockyMountainNews.com