A Hot Start

[SlapshotWrangler 864]

CALGARY - Rookie goaltender Jacques Lafontaine played 2 games this season. In his first game, he was a bit nervous about how he would start off his career.

 

"Of course I'm nervous. I mean, I'm playing in center stage against the best of the best in the hockey world. I can already envision the cameras on me. But I am confident in my training and I know that I'll be able to skate with them. I'm also pretty excited. This is my chance to show that I belong here and that I have a future in this league. This is my time to show everybody what I'm made of."

 

Jacques Lafontaine started his first game against the Toronto Legion as he and the Wranglers won with a score of 4-2. Jacques played well that game, stopping 36 of 38 shots by the Legion. He had an impressive save percentage of 0.947. This was a good sign from Lafontaine, showing the hockey world that he could be the next big thing. Even if it was the Legion, he still performed well and impressed a lot of people. Considering he is a rookie, it wasn't a bad start. With that game, he got his first win of many to come.

 

"Yeah, that was a fun game. I feel like the team played well and I'm happy with my game so far. It was a good performance and it feels good to get my first win in the Victory Hockey League. Now I just need to continue to work hard and practice. I can't wait for my next game and I'll keep pressing to improve."

 

That next game soon followed as the Calgary Wranglers went against the HC Davos Dynamo. A game that Ryuu Crimson, the former Davos winger who is currently signed with the Flames, attended and was able to watch in it's entirely. Again, he won. This game was not a regulation win.. Jacques played well again, saving 22 of 25 shots for a respectable save percentage of 0.880. He faced the same amount of shots as his opponent's goaltender and they made the same amount of saves. During overtime, nobody scored to win the game. Then in the shootout, it took 6 rounds until Jordan Tonn ended it in the Wranglers' favour. Picking up the win, Jacques Lafontaine seemed happy once more, a smile on his face while he was interviewed.

 

"Yeah, of course I'm happy about winning again. We played well like we usually do and I was pretty okay about my game still. However, I feel like I could have played better against the Dynamo. I feel like that game didn't need to be that close. Still though, a win's a win and I'll take a performance like that as long as we end up winning. I'll keep trying to improve though and I can't wait to play another game. I also need to thank JB Rift for giving me some tips and tricks. His experience really helps me and he has really useful advice."

 

Jacques Lafontaine's next game hasn't been announced yet but we will be ready when it is.