Friday, April 22, 2011

Predators' Rookie Goalie Anders Lindback Makes Playoff Debut

In game four of the playoff series between the Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators, Predators' rookie goalie, Anders Lindback made an unexpected Stanley Cup playoff debut.

After the Ducks scored their sixth goal with 13:14 remaining in the third period, Preds' coach Barry Trotz called Lindback from his perch in the Predators' bench and sent him into the fray.



Trotz explained the move, "Pekka has played a lot of hockey for us, so we made the switch to let him rest and regroup a little bit. You put Lindback in there and hope the guys play hard and respond in front of him and see if we can get something turned around."

The Predators did not get it turned around but were able to stop the bleeding. Lindback faced nine shots and stopped them all.

Lindback had mixed felling about his debut after the game, "The situation was of course like it's never fun to go in when we are down. I just try to go in and do my job. It's good that we didn't let in any goals.We tried to make a statement from there and carry over into the next game. We look forward and try to forget this game now."

When asked about the difficulty of coming in after not playing for a while, "Of course, but that's what I work out for and prepare for every day. It's my job to be ready and I just try to do my best."

Hopefully, the short stint in game four will be all that is needed for Lindback in the playoffs and his relief work will not be needed again this year.

Pekka Rinne will return to the net tonight at 9 p.m. CDT at the Honda Center in game five against the Ducks to see if he can return to his regular season form that led to his final three nomination for the Vezina trophy earlier today.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

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