Time to shine

By Rich Hammond on October 15, 2007 2:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) |

The departure of Jonathan Bernier makes the spotlight brighter for Jason LaBarbera and Jean-Sebastien Aubin. Aubin looked solid in preseason, but it's probably a safe assumption that LaBarbera will be given the first chance to prove he can be the No. 1 goaltender. I asked him how today's developments will impact him...

``I don't know if it really changes much for me,'' LaBarbera said. ``I'll get to face more shots in practice and that's good. I've always found it difficult to practice with three goalies because it's hard to get in a rhythm. I always take practice pretty seriously and I usually play the way I practice. I have to practice well.

``The season is so long. We're only six games in, but it's been a struggle for everyone. If I want to get more of an opportunity, I'm going to have to take the ball and run with it. (Bernier) deserved the opportunity to play. He was probably the best guy we had in camp and he handled the situation well. Now it's more of our (LaBarbera and Aubin) opportunity to take the ball and run with it.''

2 Comments

Tito Jackson said:

Its a puck, not a ball *shakes head*

October 15, 2007 2:57 PM

Dan H. said:

Well the pressure is off of Labarberra and Aubin some. When you take the best player at that position out, it means you have a WAY easier chance of getting playing time. I'd say they're pretty much guaranteed 50/50 rotations unless someone steps it up.

With this defense of late, Hasek in his prime would have a 4.0 GAA if he was lucky.

October 16, 2007 8:41 AM

J.P. Hoornstra writes about NHL and IHL hockey for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group. He welcomes any and all dialogue on the finer points of hockey. E-mail J.P. at jp.hoornstra
@inlandnewspapers.com.

Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews
.com.