US Plans to Ride Miller All the Way
Craig Custance - SportingNews.com
Feb 18, 2010
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Team USA will go as far as Ryan Miller can take it. That much became clear on Wednesday. While Team Canada is alternating its starting goaltenders early on, U.S. coach Ron Wilson said Miller, who was in goal for the opening win against Switzerland, will return against Norway. And again against Canada. And whichever team comes after that.
"Ryan's going to play every game unless something drastic happens," Wilson said.
Wilson compared it to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Teams don't give their backups a start during the postseason just to keep the other goalie fresh. They have a starter and ride 'em.
And if something bad happens to the starter?
"You worry about that when it happens," Wilson said.
It's a high-risk strategy, betting on one goalie. It also suggests a lack of confidence in the goalies behind Miller.
At the outset of the Olympics, Wilson said Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas was his No. 2 over Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings, based on Thomas' accomplishments over the past couple years. The problem is, Thomas hasn't maintained that level of success this season.
The reigning Vezina Trophy winner, Thomas isn't even starting games for the Bruins. His last start was Feb. 2. He hasn't won a game since Jan. 14. Tuukka Rask has taken over.
When the U.S. plays Norway at 3 p.m ET Thursday, Quick, 24, will dress as the backup.
It's nice experience for Quick, but Thomas is the only goalie on the roster who could realistically push Miller for starts. That's not happening.
"They're going to give Ryan the ball and run with it and I think he's earned that opportunity," Quick said. "It's such a short tournament and every goal does matter. ... If you're picking Ryan to go the whole way, you might as well go with it."
Team Canada goalie Martin Brodeur doesn't necessarily agree. Having gone through Olympic situations in which it was clear one goalie was the starter (Patrick Roy) and others in which he knew he'd have an opportunity to play, he has seen both sides.
Brodeur thinks there's value in having more than one goalie mentally and physically prepared.
"It's important you keep both guys still alive in the competition because injuries, bad performance -- a lot of things can happen. It's a quick tournament and it's a quick turnaround. Emotionally, goalies, we're fragile," Brodeur said. "The other goalie needs to be fresh and ready mentally to jump in there."
It doesn't sound like Thomas will get that chance.
Staff writer Craig Custance covers the NHL for Sporting News. E-mail him at ccustance@sportingnews.com.
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