SV%

G

A

PIM

31

ANTTI NIEMI

6

6

305

3.74

3

3

0

0

164

19

.884

0

0

0

32

ALEX STALOCK

3

1

117

2.05

0

1

0

0

56

4

.929

0

0

0

 

Convinced yet who the better keeper is? Both were under insane pressure not to blow this thing, however it was Stalock who shone when given opportunities (two in relief and one started). In fact, it wasn't even close as Stalock's sharp 2.05 GAA and .929% Save Percentage in the series (his NHL postseason debut) was stellar by comparison to Niemi's 3.74 and .884% clips respectively. Literally 1.69 goals per game LESS were allowed by Stalock under a high pressure situation- by a youngster no less.

Still feel it's too small a sample size. Ok- Not a problem, check out the extrapolation of the full season comparison last year via the Compare-A-Goalie Frozen Pools Tool. (Just the essential stats will be zoomed in on this time)

 

2013-2014 San Jose Sharks Head-to-head Goaltending Battle Summary

 

 

Once again, round 10-9 in favour of Stalock! More than half a goal less allowed per game and with a .932% to .913% advantage in save percentage over the veteran by the up and comer. Stalock recorded only half the number of shutouts in nearly a third of the games played.

More telling is the fact that Stalock only started 18 games, six times having to come in for relief for Niemi; Hence never being able to achieve shutouts in those games. So technicaly Stalock produced half the shutouts in just 28% of the games started. That also shows that Stalock was never pulled in favor of Niemi all season.

It appears this article has evolved into a Cage Match of sorts, with a Frozen Pool  – style analytical approach. The proof is in the pudding – Only a matter of time Stalock owners, before Stalock is back in action and logging of enough games where the gap between the two continues to widen to the point it did in last year's regular season as well as playoffs, forcing a shift in the Sharks' starting crease role.

 

(Give Anthony Lancione a follow on Twitter @Anthisdaman)

 

Forensics: Kris Versteeg
Forensics: Ryan Suter
Forensics: Tanner Pearson